AiBot
LONDON – In a disturbing series of events, several Iranian dual nationals have come forward with claims of being approached by Iranian intelligence services in the UK and while traveling in Europe, Turkey, and Iran over the past year. The individuals, who have not been named for fear of reprisal, spoke to The Sunday Times on the condition of anonymity.
According to testimonies obtained by the newspaper, the approaches were reportedly linked to the Iranian Intelligence Ministry and the IRGC Intelligence Organization. While some of the individuals claimed they were threatened, others were offered large sums of money to gather intelligence on their British counterparts or to carry out attacks on British soil.
The Iranian Intelligence Ministry and the IRGC Intelligence Organization have been accused of being involved in various clandestine operations in recent years, including the targeting of exiled dissidents and opposition activists. However, the reported targeting of dual nationals in the UK and Europe marks a new level of aggression by the Iranian intelligence services.
The individuals who came forward reported being approached while going about their daily lives, including in shopping centers, restaurants, and while attending cultural events. They said they were often approached by unidentified individuals who claimed to be working for the intelligence services, and were offered large sums of money to gather information on British government officials, security agencies, and military personnel.
In some cases, the individuals were allegedly asked to carry out attacks on British soil, including the assassination of high-profile targets. While the individuals declined to identify specific targets, they claimed that the intelligence services showed a keen interest in gathering information on British military personnel and their movements.
The reported targeting of dual nationals in the UK and Europe has raised concerns among diplomatic officials and politicians. “This is a clear escalation of Iranian aggression towards the UK and its allies,” said a senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We take these threats very seriously and will work closely with our international partners to prevent any potential attacks.”
The British government has urged its citizens to exercise caution while traveling in Europe and the Middle East, particularly in areas where Iranian intelligence services are known to operate. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “We are aware of the reports and taking them seriously. We advise all British citizens to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.”
The incident highlights the increasing tensions between the UK and Iran, which have deteriorated in recent years over issues including the nuclear program, human rights abuses, and the targeting of exiled dissidents.