Ukraine SBU Colonel Executed in Broad Daylight.

Ukraine SBU Colonel Executed in Broad Daylight.

Asweeping new report from the UK Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) warns that Iran has dramatically increased its efforts to intimidate, kidnap, or kill individuals on British soil.

The committee found that at least 15 such plots have been uncovered since the start of 2022, targeting dissidents, Israeli interests, and others opposed to the Iranian regime.

The ISC said the British government focused too narrowly on Iran's nuclear program while neglecting other aggressive state behaviors, including cyberattacks, espionage, and assassination attempts—patterns that closely mirror similar threats seen in the United States.

Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran's foreign ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

The report's findings reinforce growing transatlantic concerns that Iran is expanding an alleged campaign of repression far beyond its borders. The UK, a NATO ally and key partner of Washington, now believes it is on the front line of a global campaign. It also points to further alignment on Iran between Washington and London.

What to Know

According to the ISC, Iran's campaign against regime opponents in Britain has "significantly increased in pace and in number" since early 2022. These plots primarily target Iranian dissidents but also extend to Israeli-linked individuals. The UK's Homeland Security Group said the level of physical threat from Iran is now the highest the country faces from Tehran—on par with threats posed by Russia.

The report describes Iran's intelligence services as "ferociously well-resourced" and capable of operating across a wide range of threats. Tehran, the committee warns, has a "high appetite for risk" and is willing to engage in assassination and intimidation tactics against targets in the UK.

Assassination Joke

On Wednesday, an Iranian official Javad Larijani joked on state television that a "micro-drone" could strike President Donald Trump while sunbathing at Mar-a-Lago—a comment Trump casually dismissed, saying he's "not too big into sunbathing" and questioning the seriousness of the threat.

U.S. intelligence agencies have long warned of Iran's efforts to target Trump, linking these threats to Tehran's retaliation for the 2020 drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani.

Iran Denies Claims

However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a Monday interview with Tucker Carlson, firmly denied any Iranian government involvement in plots against President Trump, branding those claims as "Israeli propaganda" designed to drag the U.S. into conflict. Instead, he accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during recent airstrikes but reiterated Tehran's openness to dialogue with Washington—provided mutual trust can be rebuilt

What People Are Saying

ISC report: "Whilst Iran's activity appears to be less strategic and on a smaller scale than Russia and China, Iran poses a wide-ranging threat to UK national security, which should not be underestimated: it is persistent and – crucially – unpredictable."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the subject of alleged assassination plots: "None whatsoever. We have never attempted this to begin with and we never will."

What Happens Next

The British government is required to respond within 60 days. The report, already reviewed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and UK intelligence agencies, may also prompt closer cooperation with the U.S. and NATO on countering Iran's expanding footprint across the West.