UK Summons Senior Iranian Diplomat Over Alleged Proxy Attacks in Europe

Britain summoned Iran's most senior diplomat in London on Tuesday over what the UK government said was Iran's role in directing proxy groups to carry out attacks across Europe in recent months. Chargé d'Affaires Ali Nasimfar was called to the Foreign Ministry over the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force's alleged role in directing a group to carry out a series of attacks across Europe between March and May, the British Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry identified the proxy group as the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR), also known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia. Calling the activity "completely unacceptable," the Foreign Ministry said: "Despite repeated warnings, Iran's intelligence services have not ceased in their hostile activity. Instead, Iran has sought to intensify its malign behaviour." The Iranian embassy in London could not immediately be reached for comment.

Following a Landmark Ban on the IRGC

The summons came a day after Britain designated the IRGC and the linked IMCR as security threats under new powers aimed at preventing foreign states from using proxies for activities such as surveillance and sabotage. Under the new legislation, committing sabotage on behalf of the banned groups will be punishable by up to life imprisonment. Britain also designated the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia's military intelligence agency, under the same powers.
Tehran condemned the IRGC designation on Tuesday, saying the Revolutionary Guard is an official part of Iran's armed forces and accusing Britain of violating international law by targeting a state institution. The Quds Force is the IRGC's overseas arm; the United States and the European Union have both previously designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

A Pattern of Attacks on UK Soil

British authorities say the IMCR has claimed seven attacks in the UK, including a string of arson attacks on Jewish sites in London in recent months, among them fires at synagogues and ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity, as well as an attack on a Persian-language media organization critical of Iran's government. Security Minister Angela Eagle detailed the group's claims as the government moved to outlaw it, while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had summoned Iranian representatives to "condemn Iran's malign behavior" and underline Britain's commitment to protecting the Jewish community.
The escalating standoff builds on earlier flashpoints. This month, two Romanian men were sentenced to eight and twelve years in prison for the 2024 stabbing of Pouria Zeraati, a journalist for Persian-language broadcaster Iran International, near his home in London, an attack the sentencing judge found was carried out for the benefit of, and under the direction of, the Iranian state. A total of 26 people have been arrested in connection with a series of related incidents, according to earlier reporting, and intelligence experts say Iran-backed proxies typically operate by recruiting members of criminal groups, so-called "thugs for hire", to carry out sabotage and attacks.

Tehran Pushes Back

Iran has categorically denied orchestrating attacks abroad, a position it has maintained despite cases stretching back decades. Iran's Foreign Ministry recently summoned the British ambassador to Tehran, Hugo Shorter, delivering a written protest over what it called "repeated and baseless accusations" and "fabricated and groundless allegations" of anti-security activity in Britain, a tit-for-tat exchange that underscores the deteriorating state of UK-Iran relations.

Against a Backdrop of Regional War

The diplomatic confrontation unfolds as Iran remains locked in an escalating military standoff with the United States across the Gulf, with US strikes on Iranian territory, Iranian attacks on Gulf states and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and a reimposed American naval blockade all intensifying this week. Against that backdrop, Britain's move to formally ban the IRGC and confront Tehran over proxy operations in Europe adds a significant new front to the pressure on the Iranian government.