A committee of the United Kingdom’s parliament said on Thursday that Iran has significantly increased its physical threat to the people on British soil since 2022 and poses a ‘constant, unpredictable’ danger. The UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee said that the danger posed to Iranian dissidents and Jewish and Israeli interests was on par with the threat from Russia.The committee, which is tasked with overseeing Britain’s spy agencies, pointed out that there were at least 15 murder or kidnap attempts against British citizens or residents between January 2022 and August 2023.&nbsp;“Iran poses a wide-ranging, persistent, and unpredictable threat to the UK, UK nationals, and UK interests,” said Lord Beamish, committee chair, and added, “Iran is there across the full spectrum of all the kinds of threats we have to be concerned with.”The report said that Iran was not as strategic as Russia or China and slightly chaotic, with a “high appetite for risk” and “waves of activities”, rather than having a consistent plan.&nbsp;<h2>‘Iran has a high appetite for risk when conducting offensive activity’</h2>&nbsp;“Iran has a high appetite for risk when conducting offensive activity and its intelligence services are ferociously well-resourced with significant areas of asymmetric strength,” he further said.&nbsp;It said the national security threat from Iran requires more resourcing and a longer-term approach. “Iran poses a wide-ranging threat to UK national security, which should not be underestimated: it is persistent and—crucially—unpredictable.”&nbsp;Last year, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, warned of a staggering rise in attempts at assassination, sabotage, and other crimes on UK soil by both Iran and Russia.&nbsp;The 206-page report was published on Thursday as part of an inquiry into national security issues relating to Iran.It was sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in March and then circulated among UK intelligence organisations to give them the opportunity to request any redactions on national security grounds.&nbsp;<h2>Iran rejects findings, terms them ‘unfounded, politically motivated and hostile’</h2>&nbsp;Iran’s embassy in London denied the committee’s findings and termed them “unfounded, politically motivated and hostile allegations.”“The suggestion that Iran engages in or supports acts of physical violence, espionage, or cyber aggression on British soil or against British interests abroad, is wholly rejected,” the embassy said in a statement.“Such accusations are not only defamatory but also dangerous, fuelling unnecessary tensions and undermining diplomatic norms.”&nbsp;A UK government spokesperson said, “This government will take action wherever necessary to protect national security, which is a foundation of our Plan for Change.“We have already placed Iran on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme and introduced further sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Iran, bringing the total number of sanctions to 450.”

Last year, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, warned of a staggering rise in attempts at assassination, sabotage, and other crimes on UK soil by both Iran and Russia. The report published on Thursday was part of an inquiry into national security issues relating to Iran.

A committee of the United Kingdom’s parliament said on Thursday that Iran has significantly increased its physical threat to the people on British soil since 2022 and poses a ‘constant, unpredictable’ danger. The UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee said that the danger posed to Iranian dissidents and Jewish and Israeli interests was on par with the threat from Russia. The committee, which is tasked with overseeing Britain’s spy agencies, pointed out that there were at least 15 murder or kidnap attempts against British citizens or residents between January 2022 and August 2023. “Iran poses a wide-ranging, persistent, and unpredictable threat to the UK, UK nationals, and UK interests,” said Lord Beamish, committee chair, and added, “Iran is there across the full spectrum of all the kinds of threats we have to be concerned with.” The report said that Iran was not as strategic as Russia or China and slightly chaotic, with a “high appetite for risk” and “waves of activities”, rather than having a consistent plan. ‘Iran has a high appetite for risk when conducting offensive activity’ “Iran has a high appetite for risk when conducting offensive activity and its intelligence services are ferociously well-resourced with significant areas of asymmetric strength,” he further said. It said the national security threat from Iran requires more resourcing and a longer-term approach. “Iran poses a wide-ranging threat to UK national security, which should not be underestimated: it is persistent and—crucially—unpredictable.” Last year, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, warned of a staggering rise in attempts at assassination, sabotage, and other crimes on UK soil by both Iran and Russia. The 206-page report was published on Thursday as part of an inquiry into national security issues relating to Iran. It was sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in March and then circulated among UK intelligence organisations to give them the opportunity to request any redactions on national security grounds. Iran rejects findings, terms them ‘unfounded, politically motivated and hostile’ Iran’s embassy in London denied the committee’s findings and termed them “unfounded, politically motivated and hostile allegations.” “The suggestion that Iran engages in or supports acts of physical violence, espionage, or cyber aggression on British soil or against British interests abroad, is wholly rejected,” the embassy said in a statement. “Such accusations are not only defamatory but also dangerous, fuelling unnecessary tensions and undermining diplomatic norms.” A UK government spokesperson said, “This government will take action wherever necessary to protect national security, which is a foundation of our Plan for Change. “We have already placed Iran on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme and introduced further sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Iran, bringing the total number of sanctions to 450.”

Last year, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, warned of a staggering rise in attempts at assassination, sabotage, and other crimes on UK soil by both Iran and Russia. The report published on Thursday was part of an inquiry into national security issues relating to Iran.

UK faces ‘constant, unpredictable’ threat from Iran, warns intelligence committee

When President Donald Trump abruptly left the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, a full day ahead of schedule, the official explanation was swift and stern: the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran required his immediate presence in Washington. But among diplomats and intelligence officials, a more unsettling theory quickly began to spread— one that linked Trump’s exit not just to the Middle East, but to threats much closer to home. Specifically, there were reports that Iran had activated or threatened to activate sleeper cells within the United States. Could this be the real reason behind the sudden leaving of the American president from the G7 stage?&nbsp;According to senior intelligence sources, chatter picked up in the days leading up to the summit suggested that Tehran, reeling from the devastation inflicted was preparing asymmetric retaliation. One threat loomed particularly large: attacks on American targets through covert operatives embedded in the West. The CIA reportedly flagged multiple signals indicating potential “active positioning” of these sleeper units.&nbsp;Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, in a pointed remark to the press, claimed Trump was leaving “to play a role in de-escalation” between Israel and Iran, hinting at US backchannel talks. But Trump fired back while still in the air, using Truth Social to accuse Macron of being “publicity-seeking” and “getting it wrong.” He added ominously: “Much bigger than that. Stay tuned.” Those five words — “much bigger than that” — have since become the focus of intense speculation. Was Trump referring to the evolving war in the Middle East? Or was he alluding to a more imminent threat — a plot that could potentially unfold within US borders? While the White House has continued to cite the Iran war as the central reason for his return, officials have notably avoided denying reports of heightened domestic threat alerts issued to major cities.&nbsp;What are sleeper cells?Sleeper cells are the term used to refer to covert operatives that are embedded in a target country with no immediate mission until activated or called to action by their operatives.These operatives often live quiet, unassuming lives, fully assimilated—working regular jobs, holding down routine roles—until they suddenly "wake up" to execute a mission. Sleeper cells are arguably the most insidious and unpredictable threat, because these operatives hide in plain sight, often invisible until it's too late.&nbsp;The US Department of Homeland Security has once again sounded the alarm on Iran's global threat posture, warning that the Islamic Republic is expected to continue sponsoring terrorism and plotting attacks against individuals, including current and former American officials. The latest assessment echoes a similar report issued by DHS under the Biden administration in 2024.&nbsp;Mike Nelson, a retired Special Forces lieutenant colonel with CENTCOM experience, told News Nation that Hezbollah has had sleeper cells in the western hemisphere for some time, including coming through Venezuela. He said that Iranians and Hezbollah have used these cells in the past, including during the Jewish Community Centre bombing in Buenos Aires in 1994.&nbsp;"It seems likely (Hezbollah and Iran) would try to activate sleeper cells in the United States as retaliation if the U.S. joins in the strikes, so it would be prudent for the FBI to be monitoring," said Nelson. According to Nelson, Iran’s regime views its survival as the endgame. "The Iranian regime wants this to end with them in power, and their primary concern is survival," he said.

Was Trump’s sudden G7 exit linked to Iranian sleeper cell threat? Report claims

When President Donald Trump abruptly left the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, a full day ahead of schedule, the official explanation was swift and stern: the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran required his immediate presence in Washington. But among diplomats and intelligence officials, a more unsettling theory quickly began to spread— one that linked Trump’s exit not just to the Middle East, but to threats much closer to home. Specifically, there were reports that Iran had activated or threatened to activate sleeper cells within the United States. Could this be the real reason behind the sudden leaving of the American president from the G7 stage? According to senior intelligence sources, chatter picked up in the days leading up to the summit suggested that Tehran, reeling from the devastation inflicted was preparing asymmetric retaliation. One threat loomed particularly large: attacks on American targets through covert operatives embedded in the West. The CIA reportedly flagged multiple signals indicating potential “active positioning” of these sleeper units. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, in a pointed remark to the press, claimed Trump was leaving “to play a role in de-escalation” between Israel and Iran, hinting at US backchannel talks. But Trump fired back while still in the air, using Truth Social to accuse Macron of being “publicity-seeking” and “getting it wrong.” He added ominously: “Much bigger than that. Stay tuned.” Those five words — “much bigger than that” — have since become the focus of intense speculation. Was Trump referring to the evolving war in the Middle East? Or was he alluding to a more imminent threat — a plot that could potentially unfold within US borders? While the White House has continued to cite the Iran war as the central reason for his return, officials have notably avoided denying reports of heightened domestic threat alerts issued to major cities. What are sleeper cells? Sleeper cells are the term used to refer to covert operatives that are embedded in a target country with no immediate mission until activated or called to action by their operatives. These operatives often live quiet, unassuming lives, fully assimilated—working regular jobs, holding down routine roles—until they suddenly "wake up" to execute a mission. Sleeper cells are arguably the most insidious and unpredictable threat, because these operatives hide in plain sight, often invisible until it's too late. The US Department of Homeland Security has once again sounded the alarm on Iran's global threat posture, warning that the Islamic Republic is expected to continue sponsoring terrorism and plotting attacks against individuals, including current and former American officials. The latest assessment echoes a similar report issued by DHS under the Biden administration in 2024. Mike Nelson, a retired Special Forces lieutenant colonel with CENTCOM experience, told News Nation that Hezbollah has had sleeper cells in the western hemisphere for some time, including coming through Venezuela. He said that Iranians and Hezbollah have used these cells in the past, including during the Jewish Community Centre bombing in Buenos Aires in 1994. "It seems likely (Hezbollah and Iran) would try to activate sleeper cells in the United States as retaliation if the U.S. joins in the strikes, so it would be prudent for the FBI to be monitoring," said Nelson. According to Nelson, Iran’s regime views its survival as the endgame. "The Iranian regime wants this to end with them in power, and their primary concern is survival," he said.

Sleeper cells are the term used to refer to covert operatives that are embedded in a target country with no immediate mission until activated

A senior Iranian official said that Tehran would change its nuclear doctrine if Israel continues to threaten its existence amid the ongoing turmoil in West Asia stemming from the war in Gaza. The assertion has triggered newfound fears of a nuclear warfare in the region on boil.&nbsp;

<h2>What is Iran's nuclear doctrine?</h2>

Iran's public position is that it has no plans to obtain nuclear weapons. But the intelligence agencies across the world have long concluded that Tehran intends to obtain a nuclear bomb.&nbsp;

Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a sharp threat to Israel by indicating that Tehran might change its nuclear doctrine sooner than expected.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Does Iran have nuclear weapons?

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Kamal Kharrazi said to Iran's Student News Network earlier this week, "We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb but should Iran's existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine."

"Recently, the military officials also announced that if Israel wants to attack nuclear facilities, it is possible and imaginable to revise Iran’s nuclear doctrine and policies and divert from the previous declaration considerations," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iran-israel-conflict-what-it-means-for-indias-stakes-in-the-region-711069">Iran-Israel conflict: What it means for India's stakes in the region</a>

Earlier in 2022, Kharrazi had claimed that Iran was technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but had not yet decided whether to build one.&nbsp;

Supreme Leader Khamenei banned the development of nuclear weapons in a fatwa in the early 2000s.

In his latest comment on the matter, Kharrazi said, "In the case of an attack on our nuclear facilities by the Zionist regime, our deterrence will change."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-attacks-israel-in-numbers-what-makes-it-most-sophisticated-attack-on-israel-since-oct-7-711108">Iran attacks Israel: In numbers, what makes it most sophisticated attack on Israel since Oct 7</a>

Iran and Israel have long been arch enemies with Tehran refusing to recognise Israeli existence. But what was a proxy war for decades, became an open confrontation last month after Tehran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel in response to a suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A senior Iranian official said that Tehran would change its nuclear doctrine if Israel continues to threaten its existence amid the ongoing turmoil in West Asia stemming from the war in Gaza.

A senior Iranian official said that Tehran would change its nuclear doctrine if Israel continues to threaten its existence amid the ongoing turmoil in West Asia stemming from the war in Gaza. The assertion has triggered newfound fears of a nuclear warfare in the region on boil. What is Iran's nuclear doctrine? Iran's public position is that it has no plans to obtain nuclear weapons. But the intelligence agencies across the world have long concluded that Tehran intends to obtain a nuclear bomb. Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a sharp threat to Israel by indicating that Tehran might change its nuclear doctrine sooner than expected. Also watch | Does Iran have nuclear weapons? × Kamal Kharrazi said to Iran's Student News Network earlier this week, "We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb but should Iran's existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine." "Recently, the military officials also announced that if Israel wants to attack nuclear facilities, it is possible and imaginable to revise Iran’s nuclear doctrine and policies and divert from the previous declaration considerations," he said. Also read | Iran-Israel conflict: What it means for India's stakes in the region Earlier in 2022, Kharrazi had claimed that Iran was technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but had not yet decided whether to build one. Supreme Leader Khamenei banned the development of nuclear weapons in a fatwa in the early 2000s. In his latest comment on the matter, Kharrazi said, "In the case of an attack on our nuclear facilities by the Zionist regime, our deterrence will change." Also read | Iran attacks Israel: In numbers, what makes it most sophisticated attack on Israel since Oct 7 Iran and Israel have long been arch enemies with Tehran refusing to recognise Israeli existence. But what was a proxy war for decades, became an open confrontation last month after Tehran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel in response to a suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran issues nuclear bomb threat to Israel amid escalating tensions, raging war

As Iran continues to issue&nbsp;threats to Israel if the latter continues with its operations against Hamas in Gaza, Iranian state television has shown how the situation in the besieged city could unfold if a multi-front attack is launched from the Iranian border.

The segment begins with Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying that no one could stop the “forces of the resistance” if the war continued, referring to a network of militia groups across the region supported by Iran.

“Israel could face a coordinated attack from Houthis in Yemen from the south, Syrian and Iraqi militias in Syria from the east, and Hezbollah in Lebanon from the north,” the report states.

“Missiles and drones can create a siege from every side,” the report claimed, according to the New York Times.

The news outlet further claimed in its show that Yemen’s Houthis have missiles with a range of more than 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometres approx) and that Hezbollah in Lebanon had a cache of advanced missiles that could target Israeli warships in the Mediterranean Sea as well as Tel Aviv.

<h2>Coordinated attack from Iranian border</h2>

It further alleged that the Iraqi and Syrian militias have secured positions near the Golan Heights, an area captured by Israel from Syria in 1967 and later annexed.

The show’s host, Younis Shadlou, finally ends his three-and-a-half-minute programme by saying, “these operations could happen in the next few days” if Israel fails to heed Iranian supreme leader’s call for restraint in Gaza.

The show signifies anti-Israel sentiments that have remained high in many Arab countries after Israel launched retaliatory attacks in response to Hamas' October 7 assault on the Jewish state.

Iran has warned that it will respond if Israel doesn’t stop bombing Gaza City.

Already, Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire across the frontier for days, further raising tensions in the region.

<h2>Israel given warning&nbsp;</h2>

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a live broadcast to state TV late on Monday said that “all possible options and scenarios are there for Hezbollah” if the conflict escalates.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-used-north-korea-made-weapons-in-its-attack-against-israel-report-648786">Hamas used North Korea-made weapons in its attack against Israel: Report</a>

“Naturally, resistance leaders will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza, and when it feels reassured about Gaza, move on to other resistance areas in the region,” Amirabdollahian said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-doctor-sunil-rao-at-royal-bahrain-hospital-sacked-over-anti-palestine-posts-648903">Indian-origin doctor in Bahrain hospital sacked over anti-Palestine posts</a>

“Therefore, any pre-emptive measure is imaginable in the coming hours.”

It is speculated that Iran was involved in the Hamas terror attack, even though the Islamic regime has repeatedly denied this claim.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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As Iran continues to issue threats to Israel if the latter continues with its operations against Hamas in Gaza, Iranian state television has shown how the situation in the besieged city could unfold if a multi-front attack is launched from the Iranian border.

As Iran continues to issue threats to Israel if the latter continues with its operations against Hamas in Gaza, Iranian state television has shown how the situation in the besieged city could unfold if a multi-front attack is launched from the Iranian border. The segment begins with Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying that no one could stop the “forces of the resistance” if the war continued, referring to a network of militia groups across the region supported by Iran. “Israel could face a coordinated attack from Houthis in Yemen from the south, Syrian and Iraqi militias in Syria from the east, and Hezbollah in Lebanon from the north,” the report states. “Missiles and drones can create a siege from every side,” the report claimed, according to the New York Times. The news outlet further claimed in its show that Yemen’s Houthis have missiles with a range of more than 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometres approx) and that Hezbollah in Lebanon had a cache of advanced missiles that could target Israeli warships in the Mediterranean Sea as well as Tel Aviv. Coordinated attack from Iranian border It further alleged that the Iraqi and Syrian militias have secured positions near the Golan Heights, an area captured by Israel from Syria in 1967 and later annexed. The show’s host, Younis Shadlou, finally ends his three-and-a-half-minute programme by saying, “these operations could happen in the next few days” if Israel fails to heed Iranian supreme leader’s call for restraint in Gaza. The show signifies anti-Israel sentiments that have remained high in many Arab countries after Israel launched retaliatory attacks in response to Hamas' October 7 assault on the Jewish state. Iran has warned that it will respond if Israel doesn’t stop bombing Gaza City. Already, Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire across the frontier for days, further raising tensions in the region. Israel given warning Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a live broadcast to state TV late on Monday said that “all possible options and scenarios are there for Hezbollah” if the conflict escalates. Also read | Hamas used North Korea-made weapons in its attack against Israel: Report “Naturally, resistance leaders will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza, and when it feels reassured about Gaza, move on to other resistance areas in the region,” Amirabdollahian said. Also read | Indian-origin doctor in Bahrain hospital sacked over anti-Palestine posts “Therefore, any pre-emptive measure is imaginable in the coming hours.” It is speculated that Iran was involved in the Hamas terror attack, even though the Islamic regime has repeatedly denied this claim. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Siege from every side’: Iranian state TV shows how multi-front attack against Israel can unfold

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Iran on Tuesday that it is within range of Israeli air strikes, citing what he described as Iranian threats to destroy Israel.

Netanyahu warns Iran it is within range of Israeli air strikes

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UK faces ‘constant, unpredictable’ threat from Iran, warns intelligence committee

Was Trump’s sudden G7 exit linked to Iranian sleeper cell threat? Report claims

Iran issues nuclear bomb threat to Israel amid escalating tensions, raging war

‘Siege from every side’: Iranian state TV shows how multi-front attack against Israel can unfold

Netanyahu warns Iran it is within range of Israeli air strikes