The alleged plot to target the Israeli Embassy in London bears the hallmark of a secretive unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a former British military intelligence officer has said.
The Iranian Supreme Leader likely ordered the attack and members of the suspected terror cell may have entered the UK via small boats, he added.
On Saturday, seven Iranian nationals were arrested in several raids, in what the Home Secretary described as one of the most significant counter-terror operations in years.
Five of the Iranian nationals arrested were held on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism after officers uncovered an alleged plot to "target a single premises", the Metropolitan Police said.
While police did not confirm the intended target, The Times reported on Wednesday that the Israeli embassy had been the focus of the alleged plot.
According to a former British military intelligence officer, the plan was likely ordered by Iran’s Supreme Leader and linked to Unit 840 of the Quds Force, a branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He dismissed Iran’s denial of involvement, made by its foreign minister.
Referring to previous Iranian attempts on Israeli embassy, including the 1992 terrorist attack against the embassy in Argentina which left 29 civilians dead and over 200 injured, the intelligence expert suggested that a bomb attack was the most likely suspected plan, but did not rule out the possibility of an abduction or shooting.
The Iranian cell had probably been conducting months of surveillance on the embassy, studying “patterns of life, patterns of security,” he went on, adding that Israeli intelligence would almost certainly have “closely assisted” in the UK-led operation.
The exact number of individuals involved remains unknown. The former officer suggested criminal gangs unaware of the broader plot and “a network of helpers sympathetic to the cause” may have been involved.
He said the Iranian suspects may have entered the UK using irregular migration routes and warned: “You have to get a grip on who you are allowing into the country.”
The intelligence expert also called for the UK government to proscribe the IRGC and members of the Quds Force.
In a separate operation on the same day, three other Iranian nationals were arrested. The intelligence source speculated these individuals may have belonged to Vevak – the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security – which, he said, is a more conventional arm of the regime’s intelligence apparatus.
The former intelligence officer speculated that there will have been an IRGC official in the Iranian embassy aware of the second suspected cell. “Vevak works out of embassies just as our services do,” he said.
Iran “categorically” denied any involvement.
In a post on X, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said: “Iran in no uncertain terms categorically rejects any involvement in such actions and confirms that we have not been informed of any allegations via proper diplomatic channels.
“Iran has urged the UK to engage so that we may assist any probe into credible allegations. Timing and lack of engagement suggest that something is amiss.”
Araghchi referred to a “history of third parties bent on derailing diplomacy” and “provoking escalation resorting to desperate measures, including false flag operations”.
“Iran stands ready to engage to shed light on what has truly transpired, and we reiterate that UK authorities should afford our citizens due process,” he said.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s counter-terrorism command, said: “There are significant operational reasons why we cannot provide further information at this time.
“As soon as possible we will look to share further details and in the meantime we would ask the public to remain vigilant and contact us if you have any concerns.”
In an unconnected case, a Kuwaiti national appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday accused of having broken into the Israeli Embassy grounds carrying two knives.
