British counter-terrorism police commander told parliament's human rights chiefs on Thursday that they are working closely with Iran International to safeguard its journalists.
“Our partnership in policing the threats to Iran International has very much been a partnership with Iran International, the government, and lots of other individuals too,” Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command told the Joint Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday in a session focusing on transnational terrorism.
In two separate operations on May 3, eight men including seven Iranians were arrested by the British counter-terrorism police.
On Saturday, three of the Iranian nationals were charged with offences under the National Security Act, accused of acting on behalf of Iran’s intelligence service and carried out surveillance targeting Iran International journalists.
Murphy said that collaboration with the Persian-language news network has been “absolutely critical” in responding to what officials describe as transnational repression linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The police, Murphy added, have worked to understand how such threats impact not only the news organization but the wider Iranian community - which numbers more than 100,000 - across the country.
“We use those local policing contacts to reach into that community to provide reassurance and a two-way communication, so we can understand how concerned they are,” Murphy said.
“Some of the recent examples with Iran International demonstrate that we will take proactive and positive action to keep people safe—and that we can do that in a way that does not compromise any organization, group, or individual.”
Charges under National Security Act
Murphy last week described the charges against the three Iranian nationals as "extremely serious."
“Detectives have been working around the clock, and we have worked closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point.”
All three men remain in custody.
The arrests have triggered a sharp diplomatic exchange between London and Tehran. The UK summoned Iran’s ambassador earlier this week, while Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the UK’s chargé d’affaires in protest, calling the charges “unlawful and baseless.”
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has confirmed Iran was the state actor behind the alleged plot, calling the case a “very serious threat” to national security.
She said the government would soon publish a review into countering modern state-backed repression and explore new tools to sanction or proscribe entities linked to the Iranian state.
“Iran must be held accountable for its actions,” Cooper said.
Pattern of threats
The case marks the latest in a string of incidents involving alleged threats to dissidents and journalists in the UK.
In March 2024, Iran International presenter Pouria Zeraati was stabbed in London. In 2023, a man was convicted under terrorism laws for surveilling the outlet’s previous offices.
UK intelligence agency MI5 has previously said that Iranian state actors were behind at least 20 disrupted plots in the UK since early 2022, including efforts to kidnap or kill perceived opponents of the Islamic Republic.
Despite the risks, Iran International continues to operate out of London, broadcasting 24/7 to a large audience inside Iran via satellite and online platforms.
Commander Murphy added, “We are doing everything in our power to give people confidence in reporting these threats and to ensure we can respond robustly—without compromising the freedoms they represent."
