UK, US, and Allies Accuse Iran of Escalating Cross-Border Assassination Plots
UK, US, and 13 allies accuse Iran of escalating cross-border assassination plots and threats in Europe and North America, citing multiple incidents and charges.
Overview
- Fifteen nations, including the UK and US, have accused Iran of orchestrating an increasing number of cross-border assassination plots and threats across Europe and North America.
- These alleged operations involve various illicit activities, including planned killings, kidnappings, and harassment campaigns targeting individuals, particularly journalists, in Western countries.
- The UK has reported over 20 incidents of Iranian intelligence involvement since 2022, with a parliamentary committee citing at least 15 plots targeting individuals.
- The US Department of Justice charged European-based gang members and an Iranian official for plotting to kill an Iranian-American journalist, demonstrating the plots' reach.
- Three alleged Iranian spies also face charges in the UK for planning violence against UK-based journalists, highlighting direct threats to media professionals abroad.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally by focusing on reporting the facts of the joint statement from the US and NATO allies regarding Iranian threats. They avoid loaded language or selective emphasis, presenting the accusations as reported by the involved nations and providing relevant contextual information without injecting editorial bias.
"The United States and many of its NATO allies are accusing Iran of a growing number of threats throughout Europe and North America and demanding that it end its attempts to harm dissidents and others."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
Iran has been accused of orchestrating assassination plots, kidnappings, and harassment campaigns targeting individuals such as journalists and dissidents in Western countries.
The UK has reported at least 15 assassination or kidnapping attempts linked to Iran against British nationals or UK-based individuals since the beginning of 2022.
The US Department of Justice charged European-based gang members and an Iranian official for plotting to kill an Iranian-American journalist; in the UK, three alleged Iranian spies have been charged for planning violence against UK-based journalists.
The UK government considers Iran's intelligence services as highly capable and willing to conduct offensive operations, including assassination and kidnapping, particularly targeting dissidents and opponents of the regime on UK soil.
British intelligence officials have reported that Iran hosts the headquarters of Al Qaeda, allowing the terrorist group to maintain oversight of its international franchises, which raises security concerns for the West.
History
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