UK 'vulnerable to terrorism' as US attacks on Iran spark fresh wave of fears

Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

Iran's covert network of spies and footsoldiers across the west and in Britain could launch a wave of terror attacks in response to America's air-strikes on Tehran's nuclear programme
America's attack on Iran has triggered growing fears of a wave of terror hitting the UK as Iran-backed footsoldiers take deadly revenge. Britain is considered a prime target for terrorism by Iranian regime supporters and UK streets could see blood spilled by Tehran-sponsored attackers. It is believed both Lebanese Hezbollah and their Tehran sponsors the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could launch hits in the UK.
Among their targets are jewish and Israeli targets but this could also switch to the general civilian public if ordered by Tehran. And in particular RAF bases and other military sites could also be targeted because they would get coverage and it would make the UK look vulnerable. The terror threat level to the UK is assessed by MI5 as being at 'substantial' and has been at that level for several years.
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Last year head of MI5 Ken McCallum confirmed in the past seven years his officers had smashed 43 'late stage' terror attacks. Some of those attackers were trying to obtain firearms and explosives.
Most of these were from Islamist extremism from Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked groups. But he said state-sponsored terror had been on the rise. He said: 'We've seen plot after plot here in the UK at an unprecedented pace and scale.'
And he said in the past year that his intelligence officers and counter-terror police had smashed a staggering 22 plots to 'British citizens and UK residents.' Most of these plotted attacks were attempts and plans to attack Iranian dissidents but this network of people willing to act on behalf of the Tehran regime still exists.
Bruce Jones, a UK military and terrorism expert, told the Daily Mirror: 'The willingness from Tehran to launch attacks in the UK will definitely be on the increase. We are the junior partner to America and as such we are extremely vulnerable to terrorism and at risk of espionage by bad actors working against us.
'Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in an extremely difficult position as he cannot openly criticise Israel or America for the attacks on Iran. Whether Tehran has the capability to launch an attack in the UK is not certain but its intelligence operators are extremely resourceful.
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'I would say the lead time from beginning to plan an attack would be several weeks but they are very resourceful.' Sources say there are fears Iran could also tap into a network of 'sleeper cells' being unleashed by the Islamic Republican Guard Corps' Quds Force.
This unit specialises in unconventional warfare and are skilled in recruiting footsoldiers as they have done with Hezbollah for decades. It is believed the IRGC has an undercover presence in the UK and can mobilise large numbers of terror attackers. Another source, a former British intelligence officer said: 'This does not have to be as complicated as an undercover network set up by cold war Russia.
'Iran has for years been infiltrating dissident diaspora groups who have been outspoken in the UK about the regime back in the UK. And some of the plots that MI5 has combated have been very serious threats to life and other forms of terror.
'I would suggest that the attack launched by the US marks a step change and will very likely be reflected in an increase in threats inside the UK. Even if it is not declared by the IRGC, depending on the target there would be a strong indication who was behind it. And that would be an achievement for the network and its Iranian paymasters who have demonstrated a willingness to export terror for decades.'