Iran seeking 'harder targets' for attacks abroad, UK warns
The warning from the head of the UK's domestic security agency comes after PM Burnham said an attempted plot at an air force base hosting US bombers was "almost certainly" coordinated in Tehran.
UK's MI5 chief Ken McCallum warned on Tuesday that Iran is broadening the scope of its hybrid attacks, targeting harder targets like military sites. This comes after the US removed long-range bombers from a UK air base following an incident on September 27 where suspects were arrested on terrorism charges. McCallum stated that such incidents are not isolated and warned Iran is seeking targets beyond Iranian diaspora living abroad, including Iranian media organizations, Israeli interests, and arson attacks on Jewish sites.
He emphasized that those who attempt to cause harm in Britain will face a firm response, regardless of whether the perpetrators are local or foreign. Over 50 individuals have been arrested in Iran-linked operations in the UK in the past year. However, Iran's capacity to execute more severe and complex attacks using explosive drones is constrained by the competence of the proxies and criminals involved.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham attributed the Fairford air base incident to Iran, possibly orchestrated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Burnham vowed to crack down on Iran's use of criminal networks and impose further sanctions to limit Iran and the IRGC's capacity to harm Britain. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband summoned Iran's ambassador to reiterate that Britain will not tolerate attacks on its soil, naming two officials for sanctions due to their alleged involvement in hostile activities on behalf of the Iranian regime.
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