A joint investigation by British security services and law enforcement has uncovered an extensive Iranian-linked network that has been actively plotting hostile acts on UK soil. The network, which spans multiple cities including London, Manchester, and Birmingham, is believed to be operating under the direction of elements within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Intelligence sources indicate that the group has been involved in surveillance, recruitment, and planning of operations against individuals and entities deemed hostile to the Iranian regime.

According to documents obtained by this publication, the network’s activities include monitoring Iranian dissidents, journalists critical of the Tehran government, and even British politicians. At least three separate cells have been identified, each tasked with specific roles: one focused on intelligence gathering, another on logistics and support, and a third on operational execution. The cells communicated using encrypted messaging apps and operated under a strict compartmentalization structure to avoid detection.

In a series of coordinated raids over the past month, police arrested 12 individuals, some of whom are British nationals of Iranian descent. Among those detained is a former academic who is suspected of funneling funds from Iranian entities to finance the network’s activities. Another key figure is a businessman with ties to the shipping industry, allegedly used to smuggle equipment and personnel into the UK.

The investigation has also uncovered a potential plot to target a specific individual believed to be a former Iranian intelligence officer now residing in the UK. In a statement, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing said, “We have disrupted a significant threat to UK national security. The network’s capability to conduct hostile acts was sophisticated and concerning. We are working closely with international partners to ensure all those involved are brought to justice.”

MI5, which has been monitoring the network for over a year, warned that Iran continues to view the UK as a key arena for its proxy activities, particularly following the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear deal. A senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the IRGC’s Quds Force has a long history of operating in Europe, but this network marks an escalation in terms of its scale and ambition.

The UK government has summoned the Iranian chargé d’affaires to express its strong condemnation and has threatened further sanctions. Meanwhile, the Home Secretary has announced a review of visa and asylum policies for Iranian nationals to prevent future infiltration.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The case highlights the persistent and evolving threat posed by state-sponsored actors in the heart of the UK, demanding constant vigilance and adaptive security measures.