With your permission Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on the growing threat to the UK from Iran and the steps the government is taking to combat these threats.
The threat from Iran sits in a wider context of the growing, diversifying and evolving threat that the UK faces from malign activity by a number of states.
The threat from states has become increasingly interconnected in nature, blurring the lines between: domestic and international; online and offline; and states and their proxies.
In the last year, the number of state threat investigations being run by MI5 has jumped by 48%.
This statistic is a stark indication of the increased threat.
Iranian threats
Turning specifically to Iran, the regime has become increasingly emboldened, asserting itself more aggressively to advance their objectives and undermine ours.
This is evidenced by the fact that direct action against UK targets has substantially increased over recent years.
The Director General of MI5 recently stated that since the start of 2022 the UK has responded to 20 Iran-backed plots, presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents.
The Iranian regime is targeting dissidents.
And it is targeting media organisations and journalists reporting on the violent oppression of the regime.
It is also no secret that there is a long-standing pattern of targeting Jewish and Israeli people internationally by the Iranian Intelligence Services.
It is clear that these plots are a conscious strategy of the Iranian regime to stifle criticism through intimidation and fear.
These threats are unacceptable. They must and will be defended against at every turn.
Now it is a testament to our world-leading law enforcement and intelligence services that through their tireless commitment, so many plots have been thwarted.
And I am sure the whole House will join me in paying tribute to the brave men and women of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies who work day in, day out to keep us safe.
In seeking to tackle this threat, we must understand it.
The Iranian Intelligence Services, which include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, or MOIS, direct this damaging activity.
But often, rather than working directly on UK shores, they use criminal proxies to do their bidding. This helps to obfuscate their involvement, while they sit safely ensconced in Tehran.
We see that in intelligence, but we have also seen it publicly, with the conviction in 2023 of the Chechen born Austrian national, who was imprisoned for conducting surveillance on Iran International’s UK headquarters.
These threats are not only physical in nature.
The National Cyber Security Centre has also seen malicious cyber activity conducted by Iranian state-affiliated actors targeting a range of state sectors, including in the UK.
Our response
The government is absolutely committed to ensuring that our intelligence and law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to disrupt and degrade the threats that we face from Iran.
So I can announce today that we will place the whole of the Iranian State – including Iran’s intelligence services, the IRGC and MOIS – on to the enhanced tier of the new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, or FIRS, is a critical disruptive tool for the UK.
This action will mean that those who are directed by Iran to conduct activities in the UK – such as criminal proxies – must register that activity, whatever it is, or face 5 years in prison.
They will face a choice – expose their actions to the government, or face jail.
The Home Office will lay regulations in Parliament as soon as possible, with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer.
On proscription, as members will know, we do not routinely comment on groups being considered for proscription, but I can assure the House that we do and will continue to keep the list of groups considered under constant review.
However, what has become increasingly clear is the challenges inherent in applying our existing counter-terror legislation to state and state-linked threats to our national security.
This challenge was first raised by the Home Secretary in Opposition. She warned of a lack of a comprehensive strategic approach for state threats to mirror that adopted on terrorism, and the specific difficulties in using a proscription mechanism, designed for groups like Al Qaeda, on state bodies.
We are progressing work at pace to address this challenge.
So I can announce today that Jonathan Hall KC has been asked to review the parts of our counter-terrorism framework which could be applied to modern day state threats, such as those from Iran.
This includes giving specific consideration to the design of a proscription mechanism for state and state-linked bodies, providing more flexibility than is offered under the existing powers.
As the Independent Reviewer of both State Threats Legislation and of Terrorism Legislation, Mr Hall is perfectly placed to undertake this review and we are grateful for his agreement to provide this advice.
Let there be no doubt: we are utterly determined to stay ahead of those who threaten our country – and any step that could aid us in that critical endeavour will be considered.
But the UK is not alone in facing this threat. States across the western world are threatened by Iran.
So we will work with our allies to better understand, expose and condemn Iranian actions – and bring Iranian-linked criminals to justice wherever in the world they may be. We regularly collaborate with our Five Eyes and European partners to protect our democracies from hostile Iranian attack.
Here at home, we are going further too.
The National Security Act 2023, which was supported on both sides of the House, has given the police new powers to target evolving activity.
For example, the act criminalises assisting a foreign intelligence service, such as the IRGC or MOIS. The maximum penalty for these offences is 14 years in prison, the same maximum as for a proscription offence.
And I can also announce that training and guidance on state threats activity is now being offered by Counter Terrorism Policing to all 45 territorial police forces across the UK.
This will mean that when any frontline officer encounters a suspected state threats incident, they will know what to do and what to look for to ensure that our communities are kept safe.
Furthermore, we have recently issued guidance on the National Security Act and how it applies to the UK security profession, including private investigators.
This ensures they are aware of the law and understand where they may be criminally liable if they are working for any foreign power, such as Iran.
We will also continue to go after the criminal networks and enablers that Iran uses to carry out its work. The leader of the Zindashti organised crime group, a group frequently used by the Iranian regime, has already been sanctioned.
We will explore further sanctions against other Iranian-linked criminals and the National Crime Agency will target those who assist the IRGC and others to launder their money.
Alongside the recently launched Border Security Command, which strengthens Britain’s border security and disrupts criminal smuggling gangs, I have asked officials to consider new ways to enforce our robust immigration rules to specifically address threats from Iran.
This work will focus on further protecting the UK from Iranian infiltration, including those who promote Iranian interference in the UK.
I am clear that our response must be a UK-wide effort. So I welcome the Charity Commission’s statutory inquiries into both the Islamic Centre of England and the Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust.
I have also asked officials to review where any Iranian interference is being conducted in the UK and FIRS will shine more light on any undisclosed relationships between the Iranian state and UK-based institutions and individuals.
Finally, the National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing will continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies, including Persian language media organisations and their employees.
And we will continue to maintain funding for protective security measures to synagogues, Jewish community centres and schools, ensuring we do all we can to keep our Jewish communities safe.
Conclusion
Madam Deputy Speaker, in a dangerous, volatile world, Britain must lead the way.
That means proudly promoting our values and straining every sinew to keep our people safe.
The measures I have set out today should reassure the House and the public about our unflinching commitment to these objectives.
Under this government, security will be the foundation on which everything else is built.
We will resist attacks on our way of life as vigorously as we counter threats to life – whatever their source.
…we will work relentlessly to root out those intent on causing harm on our streets.
…and we will do whatever it takes to protect our country and our democracy.
I commend this statement to the House.