, July 11, 2025 — A sweeping new report from the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has warned that Iran poses a “persistent and unpredictable” threat to British national security, citing a sharp rise in assassination plots, cyberattacks, and espionage activities since 2022.
The 206-page report, released Thursday, outlines at least 15 attempted murders or kidnappings of UK citizens or residents linked to Iranian operatives between January 2022 and August 2023. The committee emphasized that the threat level now rivals that posed by Russia, with Iranian intelligence services described as “ferociously well-resourced” and operating with a “high appetite for risk”.
Committee chair Lord Beamish stated, “Iran is present across the full spectrum of threats we must address—from physical violence and cyber aggression to covert influence operations”.
The report also criticized the UK government’s Iran policy as overly focused on nuclear concerns, neglecting broader security risks. It urged a strategic overhaul, including consideration of proscribing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
In response, the UK government reaffirmed its commitment to national security, highlighting recent sanctions and Iran’s placement on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, which mandates registration for individuals acting on Tehran’s behalf.
Iran’s embassy in London rejected the findings, calling them “unfounded, politically motivated and hostile,” and denied any involvement in violent or subversive activities on British soil.
The ISC’s findings come amid broader concerns over Iran’s global posture, including its support for proxy groups and alleged targeting of dissidents and journalists abroad. The report is expected to influence upcoming debates on counterterrorism legislation and foreign policy strategy.
As tensions mount, UK officials are weighing long-term responses to what the ISC calls a “wide-ranging and escalating threat” that demands urgent and sustained attention.
UK Faces Escalating and Unpredictable Threat from Iran, Intelligence Report WarnsLondon
