Iranian state threat activities in the UK

Concerns about Iranian foreign policy are not limited to its nuclear programme or support for armed groups and terrorist organisations in the Middle East, but also extend to its actions targeting critics, journalists and opponents overseas. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds force has played a central role in extending Iranian influence across the Middle East and targeting wider global activity.

As set out in a 2024 Washington Institute report on overseas Iranian operations, since 1979, when the last Shah was overthrown and the Islamic Republic was established, Iran has targeted dissidents, dual nationals and Israelis overseas. It has also conducted espionage and cyberattacks across Europe, North America, and elsewhere, with the aim of maintaining the Islamic Republic.

Actions by Iranian state-linked actors form part of a wider practice of “transnational repression”. Transnational repression generally involves harassing or intimidating an individual overseas, with the aim of silencing them, coercing them or obtaining information.

This briefing sets out Iran’s activities in the UK, the UK Parliament Intelligence and Security Committee’s 2025 report on Iran, and UK Government actions.

What is the nature of the threat from Iran?

In July 2025, Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee published a report on Iranian state threats to UK interests, based on evidence taken from 2021 to 2023. The committee said that Iran poses a “wide-ranging, persistent and unpredictable threat”, though one less developed and strategic than the threats posed by Russia and China. It also said that the greatest threat currently posed by Iran in the UK was the “physical threat posed to dissidents and other opponents”. Previously, this had been espionage (referring to attempts to access non-public information through covert means).

In October 2025, the Director General of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, reported that security agencies have tracked “more than 20 potentially lethal Iran-backed plots” in the previous year. He has issued similar reports in earlier years.

Those targeted by Iran in the UK include dissidents, journalists, regime opponents, Israelis, Jews, and sectors including government, travel and universities. BBC Persian and the UK-based news agency Iran International are among those who have long reported Iranian state threats. In addition to its state agencies, including the IRGC and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, Iran has used criminal groups to conduct operations in the UK and elsewhere. Iran denies allegations of state involvement in activity in the UK.

How has the government responded?

As set out on the Commons Library briefing, The impact of foreign interference on security, trade and democracy, a range of government strategies on trade, sanctions and security aim to counter state threats.

Diplomatic statements

The government has said international cooperation is “critical” for addressing Iranian state threats. In July 2025, the UK joined 13 other countries in condemning Iranian intelligence activities. The G7’s Rapid Response Mechanism also highlights Iranian activity across G7 states.

Sanctions regime

The government introduced a new sanctions regime against Iran in 2023. Sanctions measures include asset freezes, travel bans and director bans. As of December 2025, 547 individuals and entities had been sanctioned under the regime, including IRGC members and criminal networks such as Foxtrot.

Debate on proscribing the IRGC

The IRGC has an important role in managing Iranian overseas operations. In the UK, there has been a long-running debate on proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist group. While the IRGC is already subject to sanctions in its entirety, in 2025, the government said it would introduce a new power targeting state-backed organisations. This followed the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism and State Threat Legislation recommending “Statutory Alert and Liability Threat” notices (PDF), which would be similar to terrorist group proscriptions. The notices would be issued by the Home Secretary.

Foreign Influence Registration Scheme

Established under the National Security Act 2023, from July 2025 individuals and organisations are required to register arrangements with foreign states when directed to carry out political influence activities in the UK. Iran has been designated under the enhanced tier, which mandates registration for any activities carried out at the direction of Iranian state bodies, including the Supreme Leader’s Office and the IRGC. Not registering is a criminal offence.

Other measures

Additional steps announced in 2025 include training for police forces on state threats, enhanced immigration enforcement and funding for protective security for synagogues. Further sanctions on Iran remain under review.