### Britain Faces Surging Threats from Russia and Iran, Warns MI5 Chief

Britain is confronting an alarming escalation in assassination attempts, sabotage, and other crimes orchestrated by Russia and Iran, according to Ken McCallum, the Director General of MI5. McCallum disclosed that since 2022, MI5 and the police have neutralized 20 "potentially lethal" Iran-backed plots and warned of the possibility of increased Iranian aggression in the U.K., especially if Middle Eastern tensions heighten due to conflicts involving Israel.

In a rare public address, McCallum detailed the major threats to the U.K., revealing that the overall environment of hostile states, radicalized individuals, and revived militant groups like the Islamic State is more complex and interconnected than ever before. He highlighted the risk that Israel's conflicts with Iran-backed groups—such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Houthi rebels in Yemen—could potentially trigger attacks in the U.K. Although the crisis has not yet led to widespread terrorist violence in Britain, the risk remains real.

State-threat investigations in the U.K. have surged by 48% over the past year, with primary culprits being Iran, Russia, and China. McCallum noted that following the death of Mahsa Amini in Iranian police custody in September 2022, there has been an unprecedented spike in Iran-backed plots on U.K. soil. Since January 2022, MI5 has responded to 20 potentially lethal plots, a significant increase from the 15 plots reported at the start of that year.

McCallum also accused Russia's military intelligence agency of attempting to use tactics such as arson and sabotage to sow chaos in Britain and other European countries. He emphasized that both Russia and Iran often rely on criminals—from international drug traffickers to low-level crooks—to carry out their illicit activities. Several state-backed plots have already resulted in criminal charges, including the imprisonment of a Chechen man for reconnoitering the offices of an Iranian dissident broadcaster in London and the upcoming trials of suspects linked to a Russia-associated plot against Ukrainian-owned businesses.

Germany and Sweden have also reported similar threats from Moscow and Tehran. Germany has arrested individuals for alleged espionage or attack planning on behalf of Russia, while Sweden has accused Iran of targeting Israeli or Jewish interests using criminal networks.

While McCallum acknowledged the economic importance of the U.K.-China relationship, he urged caution due to the risks involved. The U.K.'s current terror threat level stands at "substantial," indicating that an attack is likely. Since 2017, MI5 and the police have thwarted 43 late-stage plots, thereby saving numerous lives.

A significant concern is the resurgence of the Islamic State group, which has resumed efforts to export terrorism despite the collapse of its self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria. McCallum cited a devastating March attack in Moscow that killed over 140 people as a grim reminder of the group's capabilities.

In light of past criticisms, including MI5's failure to prevent the deadly 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, McCallum emphasized that the current landscape involves not only persistent terrorist threats but also state-backed assassination and sabotage plots, all occurring amid the backdrop of a significant European conflict.