Since the beginning of 2022, Britain has identified at least 15 credible threats from Iran to harm or kill British citizens or residents. On January 29th, the UK government imposed new sanctions on members of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unit that attempted to assassinate two presenters at Iran International, a British-based television station. A British government official working on Iran describes the current situation as “quite an unprecedented time,” stating that there is a peak in Iranian state activity globally since 1979.
Iran’s Islamic Republic has a history of engaging in foreign activities deemed dubious. Recently, such activities have seen a significant resurgence. The death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish-Iranian woman who protested against the mandatory hijab law, sparked widespread protests in Iran in September 2022. In response, the regime, feeling threatened, targeted perceived subversives abroad. London, serving as the hub for a network of activists and dissidents constituting Iran’s opposition in exile, has become a major target, especially following the conflict in Gaza and British involvement in actions against Iranian-backed Houthis.
Farsi-language broadcasters like Iran International and BBC Persian have become primary targets. In February 2023, Iran International temporarily halted its operations in Britain due to threats from Iran, which had designated it a terrorist organization following its reporting on Amini’s death. In December, a Chechen-Austrian man received over three years in jail for collecting information about the channel’s former offices.
Fortunately, no physical harm has occurred thus far. However, there has been a clear impact on individuals. Farsi-speaking journalists in London, contacted by The Economist, revealed instances of intimidation against them or their families in Iran. Some journalists have resigned, and others have relocated to safe houses after receiving death threats.
While new security laws aimed at countering foreign spying on British soil were enacted late last year, concerns persist among journalists. Counter-terrorism police have advised them to change daily routines and avoid visiting countries near Iran, including Turkey and the UAE. Despite these measures, there is a prevailing fear among journalists that the police force may be overstretched, with reports of emergency calls going unanswered.