Iranian 'hostile activity' highlighted as threat in UK security review

The National

6 hours ago

A British national security review has warned that the country must be ready for destabilising foreign activity to lead to a full-scale war.
The review warned that the outbreak of fighting between Israel and Iran should be seen as threat to the UK after Iranian infiltration into UK society.
We have to guard properly against those threats and we will do so
Keir Starmer,
prime minister
"Iranian hostile activity on British soil is also increasing, as part of the Iranian regime's efforts to silence its critics abroad as well as directly threatening the UK," it said. "This follows years of aggressive and destabilising activity by the Iranian regime, which has included activity specifically targeted against UK interests at home and overseas."
The national security strategy released on Tuesday suggested the UK faced an age of radical uncertainty and ultimately needs to actively prepare for the possibility of a nuclear confrontation. Russia, China and even sub-state groups such as Yemen's Houthis were all identified in a range of growing dangers.
One response set to be announced on Wednesday is a strengthening of the UK's nuclear deterrent with the purchase of 12 new fighter jets, which add an airborne capability to the sea-based submarine fleet operated by the UK.
'We are facing daily challenges on the home front. So whether that's cyber attacks, which are very, very frequent and very, very serious, whether that is a focus on energy security," said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who travelled to the Nato summit as the review was released. "In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security."
"You've seen state actions by Iran and Russia. In the United Kingdom, we have to guard properly against those threats and we will do so.'
The review added that the hostile activity on British soil from countries such as Iran threatened the public, critical national infrastructure and ultimately prosperity.
"For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario," the review added.
Mr Starmer's government has pledged, along with other Nato members, to increase spending on security to five per cent of gross domestic product by 2035. The total includes 3.5 per cent on defence and 1.5 per cent on the broader issues of security and resilience, like those addressed in Tuesday's review.
US President Donald Trump singled out Spain for criticism after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared Madrid did not need to meet Washington's demand for a common spending target. "There's always a problem with Spain," he said.
The UK spends 2.3 per cent of national income on defence and says that will rise to 2.6 per cent by 2027. It has said it will need a review after 2030 to set a road map for the rise above three per cent.
On Wednesday, the summit's final statement will be focused on affirming Mr Trump's demands.