Iran denies involvement in UK-linked plots after MI5 warning
Iran has denied involvement in what Britain’s domestic intelligence service described as Iran-linked plots on UK soil, saying the accusations are unfounded and damage diplomatic relations.
Iran has denied involvement in what Britain’s domestic intelligence service described as Iran-linked plots on UK soil, saying the accusations are unfounded and damage diplomatic relations.
MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum said on Thursday that British security agencies had disrupted more than 20 operations linked to Tehran in the past year and were stepping up efforts to counter what he called attempts by Iran to silence its opponents abroad. He said 2025 had required “a significant expansion of our counter-Iran effort,” citing what he described as a rise in hostile state activity.
The Iranian Embassy in London said on Friday it “strongly rejects” the statements, adding that Iran “denies any involvement in violent acts, kidnappings, or harassment of individuals in the UK or elsewhere.” It said the accusations were made without credible evidence and were “part of a continued effort to distort Iran’s policies and undermine bilateral diplomatic relations.”
The embassy said Iran “remains committed to international law, sovereign equality, and peaceful coexistence” and urged the British government to “refrain from escalating baseless accusations” and instead engage in “constructive dialogue based on mutual respect.”
British officials have said in recent months that Iran’s activities pose one of the most serious state-based threats to the UK, alongside those from Russia and China. The government has cited cyberattacks, surveillance, and the use of criminal networks to target dissidents as areas of concern.
McCallum’s comments followed a July parliamentary report that described Iran as a persistent and growing security challenge. The report said the UK and its allies faced what it called “a sustained campaign of intimidation and aggression” from Tehran.
