The head of the U.K.’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has warned of a “staggering rise” in assassination attempts on British soil by Russia and Iran. Ken McCallum stated that both hostile states are recruiting criminals to carry out attacks, posing a significant threat to national security.
McCallum revealed that MI5 and police have thwarted 20 Tehran-backed plots since 2022, with the potential for Iran to expand its targets in the U.K. amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East. He emphasized the growing complexity of threats from both hostile states and terror groups.
The spy chief also highlighted the risk of terror attacks in the U.K. stemming from conflicts between Israel and Iran-backed militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. He noted a rise in state-threat investigations, with Iran, Russia, and China identified as the main perpetrators.
McCallum expressed concerns about the involvement of criminals in carrying out attacks on behalf of Russia and Iran. He underscored the ongoing threat environment, stating that the U.K. faces a combination of state aggression, individual attackers, and the resurgence of groups like the Islamic State.