The threat from Iran: a ruthless regime suspected of orchestrating terror attacks on UK soil
Iran has become a growing menace on the streets of Britain, with its agents suspected of orchestrating a spate of attacks on UK soil.
MI5 chief Ken McCallum disclosed last October that his operatives have tackled 20 'potentially lethal' plots backed by Tehran since 2022 – mostly aimed at dissidents opposing the regime.
Iranians Navid Bavi and Bahar Mahroo were attacked outside the Dewan Al-Kafeel community centre in Wembley, north-west London, in May last year.
They were protesting a memorial service for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi when masked thugs emerged from the building and assaulted them. Bavi was left partially paralysed while Mahroo reported being sexually assaulted. They had to be protected by police in hospital.
Just a few months earlier, Iranian-British journalist Pouria Zeraati had been stabbed outside his home in Wimbledon, south-west London, on March 29.
He was walking to his car to head to work at Iran International's London studio when a man approached him asking for change. He said he had none when a second appeared and together they grabbed him. The first man stabbed him in the leg but he managed to flee.
Scotland Yard's counter-terror unit were called in, given the Persian-language station is constantly threatened for its criticism of the regime in Tehran.
Zeraati had previously reported on threats against employees, including family members in Iran being questioned to pressure journalists.
Romanian nationals Nandito Badea, 19, and George Stana, 23, were arrested in their home country in December over the attack. Extradition proceedings are under way.
Chechen-born Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was jailed for spying on Iran International's headquarters in Chiswick, west London, in February 2023. The Austrian citizen was convicted of attempting to collect information likely to be useful for terrorism.
Dovtaev, 32, flew into Gatwick from Vienna and took a cab to the TV channel's base, where he was spotted by security guards who alerted the police. Examination of his phone suggested he was recording the security arrangements as he walked by.
His visit was said to be the most recent in a series by 'others unknown', who had also taken videos, beginning in the summer of 2022. Dovtaev was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
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Powys County Times
43 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Missiles thrown at police in second night of Ballymena disorder
Police used water cannon to disperse protesters engaged in serious disorder for a second night in Ballymena, as fireworks and masonry were thrown at officers. Riot police were deployed around the Clonavon Terrace area on Tuesday night as hundreds of people gathered in the Co Antrim town. PSNI vehicles formed barricades on some roads while riot police wearing armour and carrying shields stood nearby. Some protesters shouted abuse and threw objects at the police, including fireworks, glass bottles and pieces of metal. A car was set on fire near a car wash and tyre centre as part of a number of blazes started by protesters. Police fired plastic baton rounds at some of those gathered and also used a water cannon to disperse the crowd. Multiple house windows were smashed during the unrest. Many young children were present among those gathered near police lines. Repeatedly using the water cannon, PSNI moved protesters away from Clonavon Terace towards the junction of Bridge Street and North Street near a mural of King WIlliam. It comes after violent disorder on Monday, following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. The scenes of violence in Ballymena, which left 15 police injured on Monday, were described as 'racist thuggery' by a senior officer. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force had a significant operation in place over the coming days in case there was any repeat of the disturbances on Monday night in the Co Antrim town. He said: 'We are actively working to identify those responsible for last night's racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice. 'Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.' A 29-year-old man has been charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested during disorder in Ballymena on Monday night. The man, who is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday July 3, has also been charged with disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. Mr Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage. The Prime Minister's official spokesman described the events which saw police and ethnic minorities targeted as 'very concerning'. In Clonavon Terrace, several houses had their windows smashed and two which suffered significant smoke damage remained sealed off on Tuesday. The violence flared following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend. Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. On Tuesday, the PSNI said it had made a third arrest in connection with the incident and reiterated a public appeal for information. Detective Inspector Olphert from the PSNI's public protection branch said: 'A 28-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening, Monday June 9. 'He has been unconditionally released from police custody following questioning.' After the later protest turned violent, police were attacked with petrol bombs and masonry. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the attacks should be 'loudly condemned by all right-thinking people'. 'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced,' he said at a press conference at Ballymena police station. He said that members of the minority ethnic community 'felt fear' and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. 'I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences,' he said. Mr Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder. He said: 'Should I need any additionality, I'm absolutely assured that my colleagues in policing in England and Wales, the National Police Operation Centre, stand fast and ready to support should we need that support.' The senior officer said police did not have specific intelligence that there would be a repeat of the violent scenes, but said a significant policing operation would be in place. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'At around 7.30pm, a planned vigil gathered in the Galgorm Road area before making its way towards Larne Street, onto Wakehurt Road and then down Queen Street. 'The vigil was initially peaceful as it made its way towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena. 'Officers were present at the vigil to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response, due to the large number of people who had gathered in the area. 'A number of masked individuals then broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties in the Clonavon Terrace area. 'Elements of the crowd then turned on to police and attacked officers with petrol bombs and masonry. 'This disorder was sustained and continued in the vicinity of Galgorm Street, Linenhall Street and Larne Road Link in the vicinity of the Braid.' The statement added: 'Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction by masked rioters. 'Fifteen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment. 'Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder. 'A number of homes and businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated. 'The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially motivated hate attacks. 'Windows were also smashed of several business units in Galgorm Parks in the early hours. 'In total, six properties in Clonavon Terrace have sustained damage to windows and doors during the disorder. 'During the course of the serious disorder, authorised police officers discharged one attenuating energy projectile (AEP) with one rioter struck.' As part of ongoing inquiries, police are also investigating a report of arson at the Tobar Park area of Cullybackey in the early hours of Tuesday. Shortly after 12.20am, it was reported that a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle in the area which set it alight. Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside. Downing Street said there could be no justification for the violence in Ballymena. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. 'Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. 'PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.'
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Missiles thrown at police in second night of Ballymena disorder
Riot police were deployed around the Clonavon Terrace area on Tuesday night as hundreds of people gathered in the Co Antrim town. PSNI vehicles formed barricades on some roads while riot police wearing armour and carrying shields stood nearby. Some protesters shouted abuse and threw objects at the police, including fireworks, glass bottles and pieces of metal. A car was set on fire near a car wash and tyre centre as part of a number of blazes started by protesters. Police fired plastic baton rounds at some of those gathered and also used a water cannon to disperse the crowd. Multiple house windows were smashed during the unrest. (Niall Carson/PA) Many young children were present among those gathered near police lines. Repeatedly using the water cannon, PSNI moved protesters away from Clonavon Terace towards the junction of Bridge Street and North Street near a mural of King WIlliam. It comes after violent disorder on Monday, following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. The scenes of violence in Ballymena, which left 15 police injured on Monday, were described as 'racist thuggery' by a senior officer. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force had a significant operation in place over the coming days in case there was any repeat of the disturbances on Monday night in the Co Antrim town. He said: 'We are actively working to identify those responsible for last night's racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice. 'Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.' A 29-year-old man has been charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested during disorder in Ballymena on Monday night. The man, who is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday July 3, has also been charged with disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. Mr Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage. The Prime Minister's official spokesman described the events which saw police and ethnic minorities targeted as 'very concerning'. In Clonavon Terrace, several houses had their windows smashed and two which suffered significant smoke damage remained sealed off on Tuesday. The violence flared following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend. Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. On Tuesday, the PSNI said it had made a third arrest in connection with the incident and reiterated a public appeal for information. Detective Inspector Olphert from the PSNI's public protection branch said: 'A 28-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening, Monday June 9. 'He has been unconditionally released from police custody following questioning.' After the later protest turned violent, police were attacked with petrol bombs and masonry. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the attacks should be 'loudly condemned by all right-thinking people'. 'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced,' he said at a press conference at Ballymena police station. He said that members of the minority ethnic community 'felt fear' and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. 'I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences,' he said. Mr Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder. He said: 'Should I need any additionality, I'm absolutely assured that my colleagues in policing in England and Wales, the National Police Operation Centre, stand fast and ready to support should we need that support.' The senior officer said police did not have specific intelligence that there would be a repeat of the violent scenes, but said a significant policing operation would be in place. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'At around 7.30pm, a planned vigil gathered in the Galgorm Road area before making its way towards Larne Street, onto Wakehurt Road and then down Queen Street. 'The vigil was initially peaceful as it made its way towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson speaking to the media following a protest in Ballymena over an alleged sexual assault in the Co Antrim town (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) 'Officers were present at the vigil to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response, due to the large number of people who had gathered in the area. 'A number of masked individuals then broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties in the Clonavon Terrace area. 'Elements of the crowd then turned on to police and attacked officers with petrol bombs and masonry. 'This disorder was sustained and continued in the vicinity of Galgorm Street, Linenhall Street and Larne Road Link in the vicinity of the Braid.' The statement added: 'Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction by masked rioters. 'Fifteen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment. 'Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder. 'A number of homes and businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated. 'The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially motivated hate attacks. A damaged property in Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) 'Windows were also smashed of several business units in Galgorm Parks in the early hours. 'In total, six properties in Clonavon Terrace have sustained damage to windows and doors during the disorder. 'During the course of the serious disorder, authorised police officers discharged one attenuating energy projectile (AEP) with one rioter struck.' As part of ongoing inquiries, police are also investigating a report of arson at the Tobar Park area of Cullybackey in the early hours of Tuesday. Shortly after 12.20am, it was reported that a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle in the area which set it alight. Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside. Downing Street said there could be no justification for the violence in Ballymena. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. 'Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. 'PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Red Arrows crisis as iconic display team running out of jets & RAF forced to raid old planes for parts
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Red Arrows are running out of aircraft, The Sun can reveal. The legendary RAF team has 13 working jets and may be down to six by 2028, which would end their trademark 'diamond nine' display. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Britain's Red Arrows are running out of aircraft Credit: Bav Media 8 Their much-loved shows could end up being cancelled due to the ageing fleet Credit: Bav Media 8 They may be down to just six Hawk T1s by 2028 Credit: SWNS Their fleet of ageing jets could see their much-loved shows being cancelled, sources claimed last night. Their creaking fleet entered service in 1974 — and the factory that made spare parts closed five years ago. Engineers have since been forced to cannibalise old planes to keep the best ones flying. A source told The Sun: 'There are no two ways about it — the Red Arrows are running out of planes.' Read more on Red Arrows WHEN IN ROME King and Queen enjoy action-packed day in Rome with Red Arrows flypast The number of working aircraft has dropped from 26 in January to just 17 today. Four are in so-called deep maintenance, so just 13 are available to fly. The massive G-forces in Red Arrows air shows, compared to other 'sedate' fly-pasts, rapidly reduces jet lifespan. The source added: 'Planes can only fly so many shows before they need new parts. "So either they get new planes or they have to cancel shows.' British solution RAF chief Sir Richard Knighton has indicated he wants a replacement for the Hawk 'as soon as possible'. The Sun revealed in April that Russian jets were being considered for the Red Arrows, which have only ever flown British planes since they were formed 61 years ago. Incredible moment Red Arrows jets soar over Buckingham Palace in stunning footage captured from inside the cockpit But sources close to Defence Secretary John Healey insist he wants a British solution. The only UK contender is a concept plane called the Aeralis Advanced Jet Trainer. What message does it send if the RAF can't even field nine trainer aircraft because our politicians can't make a decision on what to buy? RAF source An RAF source said: 'The whole point of the Red Arrows is to be RAF ambassadors and to showcase British industry. 'What message does it send if the RAF can't even field nine trainer aircraft, or can't perform a full season of shows because our politicians can't make a decision on what to buy?' 8 RAF chief Sir Richard Knighton wants replacements 'as soon as possible' Credit: Rex 8 Just 13 of the jets are currently available to fly Credit: SWNS 8 The G-force in Red Arrows' shows reduces the jets' lifespan Credit: SWNS 8 The Red Arrows fly over The Mall during the King's Coronation Credit: Getty The Hawk T1s are due to retire in 2030 while the Hawk T2s — which train RAF pilots — will go out of service in 2040. Ex-RAF Air Marshal Edward Stringer said pilot numbers have also been cut and warned the plane shortage is 'a symptom of a much bigger problem'. An RAF spokesperson said last night: 'The Red Arrows will continue to use the Hawk to perform its much-loved displays each year. "We continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure the fleet is maintained.'
