On May 19, 2025, at a parliamentary debate in the UK House of Commons, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper outlined the government’s response to what she described as an “unacceptable threat to our domestic security.” The debate also covered broader national security concerns, including threats from other state actors, extremism, and border security.
Cooper informed the House that three Iranian nationals were charged on May 17, 2025, with offences under the National Security Act 2023. The charges include “engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service” and “engaging in conduct, including surveillance, reconnaissance and open research, with the intention to commit acts of serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom.” The foreign state identified in these charges is Iran, marking the first time Iranian nationals have been charged under this Act. Cooper emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigations and the need to respect the sub judice principle, which limits discussion of specific cases to avoid prejudicing the legal process.
The Home Secretary highlighted the increasing number of Iran-linked operations on UK soil. She quoted the director general of MI5, who stated in October of the previous year that “the police and MI5 had responded to 20 Iran-backed plots presenting potentially lethal threats.” Cooper asserted, “We will not tolerate growing state-backed threats on UK soil,” and confirmed that the Iranian ambassador had been summoned, with the Foreign Secretary conveying in the “strongest terms” that Iranian state threat activity in the UK is unacceptable.
#Iran News: UK Lawmakers Slam Regime, Demand Tougher Action After Arrests of Iranian Nationalshttps://t.co/Gx9LtclBUh
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 7, 2025
In response to the escalating threat, the government is implementing several measures. These include placing “the whole of the Iranian state in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme,” which is due to come into effect on July 1st. Sanctions have also been introduced “to systematically dismantle the criminal networks and enablers that Iran uses to carry out its work,” including the Foxtrot network.
Cooper stressed the importance of international cooperation, stating, “International co-operation is critical in challenging Iranian transnational threats,” and announced the convening of ministerial counterparts from allied nations to discuss coordinated action.
The Home Secretary broadened the discussion to address the “increasing complexity of the threats we face.” She noted that while threats from extremist and terrorist groups persist, “malign activities against us by, or on behalf of, foreign states have grown.” MI5 state threat investigations have increased by nearly 50% in a year, and police investigations into state threats, led by counter-terrorism police, are up fivefold since 2018. Cooper also highlighted the interconnected nature of these threats, stating, “The old boundaries between state threats, terrorists and organized criminals are being eroded.”
NCRI Dep Dir @HoAbedini told @Baldwinrants: “The #Iranian regime has always considered the #UK a weak link in western countries. This is why they have been so brazenly attacking even the UK embassy in Tehran." via @Daily_Express https://t.co/4fo7YWXYwp
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 18, 2025
The House of Commons debate saw several members of Parliament express serious concerns about the Iranian regime’s activities and the threat it poses to the UK and its allies.
Jim Shannon (DUP–Strangford) praised the UK Secretary of State and counter-terrorism units for their efforts following the arrest of three asylum seekers, calling it “the tip of the iceberg” in national security work. He criticized systemic asylum failures and questioned what measures the government would take to prevent foreign nationals—specifically young single men seeking asylum—from exploiting the system while expressing hostility toward the UK. He urged action to reassure the British public that such threats will no longer be accommodated.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp (Conservative) condemned the Iranian regime’s “malign influence.” He stated, “The whole House should be in no doubt about the malign influence that Iran spreads around the world.” Philp also highlighted the regime’s involvement in hostage-taking, its support for the Houthis in the Red Sea conflict, and its supply of drones and military equipment to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine. He further criticized the Iranian regime’s human rights record, citing the oppression of women. Philp questioned the Home Secretary, asking “why has she not yet done what she said she would do by proscribing the IRGC?” and “Why have Iranian diplomats, including any suspected of supporting espionage activity, not been expelled?”
Liberal Democrat spokesperson Lisa Smart also voiced strong concerns about the Iranian regime. She supported “further robust sanctions and other actions against cowardly regimes that seek to destabilize our and other western democracies.” Smart specifically sought confirmation that the new powers being introduced would enable the proscription of the IRGC, a key demand echoed by several other members.
#Iran News: #UK Parliament Condemns Clerical Regime’s Role in Regional Destabilization Amid Houthi Strikeshttps://t.co/J3HIOX99WS
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 2, 2025
Richard Tice (Reform) expressed outrage that Iranian nationals who entered the UK illegally have been charged with terror offences. He criticized the delay in proscribing the IRGC, stating, “Surely the right thing to do is proscribe it now,” and called for the detention and deportation of Iranians crossing the English Channel illegally.
David Pinto-Duschinsky (Labour) highlighted the fear experienced by the Iranian community in his constituency due to transnational repression. He asked the Home Secretary what the government is doing to protect the Iranian community and others living in fear of such repression.
David Reed (Conservative) questioned the Iranian authorities’ summoning of the British envoy in Tehran, suggesting it signaled “a complete disconnect from reality on the part of the Iranian state.”