UK warns of expanding Iranian threat to military sites, vows action against Tehran's proxies

Britain's domestic intelligence agency MI5 has warned that the United Kingdom is entering a new phase of security threats linked to Iran, with concerns now extending to military installations. The warning follows the authorities' disclosure that more than 50 people have been arrested over the past year in operations connected to Tehran. London has stressed that Iranian threats are no longer theoretical and has pledged to confront them, whether they originate directly from Iran or through groups it supports.

British intelligence has accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of orchestrating attacks on Jewish institutions and cautioned that such threats could extend to military facilities.

The UK has linked the recent incident at RAF Fairford to escalating tensions with Tehran. British Minister for the Middle East Stephen Doughty noted that the Prime Minister considers IRGC involvement in the attack "highly likely," although Iran has denied responsibility. The incident remains under investigation.

Doughty affirmed that the UK will confront both direct and indirect Iranian threats, including those posed by the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Iraqi militias. He emphasized that "Tehran's aggressive actions, both directly and through its proxies, pose a threat to the United Kingdom and its allies."

The minister also announced sanctions against two IRGC members for their roles in threatening the UK, and said the Iranian ambassador had been summoned to receive London's rejection of threats against the UK and its allies.

Doughty stated that the UK takes Houthi threats to the region and Iranian threats to national interests very seriously, adding that "recent events have proven the Iranian threat is not theoretical."

Freedom of navigation and support for Saudi Arabia

The British minister also warned about maritime security, saying that developments in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea threaten the principles of international freedom of navigation.

Doughty reiterated London's support for Yemen's internationally recognized government and Saudi Arabia in confronting the Houthis, as the group continues attempts to target civilian facilities in the Kingdom.

These developments follow last week's attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed 13 people, according to official statements and reports on the incident.