Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was concerned about the situation in the Middle East. Photo: Ian Forsyth/PA
The UK has imposed sanctions. about two Iranian officials accused of threatening to kill two journalists on British soil.
The men are members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which an ITV investigation found was involved in a plot to kill two TV news presenters Iran International in the UK.
At least 15 such threats are reported to have been made since January 2022.
The sanctions, introduced in coordination with the United States, also target other individuals believed to be part of international criminal activity. gangs linked to Iran, the Foreign Office said.
They include four men accused of killing an Iranian dissident in Turkey and the head of an international drug cartel who allegedly planned or carried out terrorist attacks abroad.
The sanctions come amid increased tension in the Middle East following the conflict between Israel and Hamas. the war began on October 7.
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, said: “The Iranian regime and the criminal gangs acting on its behalf pose an unacceptable threat to UK security.”
“Today’s package exposes the role of Iranian officials and gangs involved in activities aimed at to undermine, silence and violate the democratic freedoms we value in the UK. The UK and US have sent a clear signal: we will not tolerate this threat.»
«Hold the Iranian regime to account»
Matthew Miller, a US State Department spokesman, said it was taking joint action. with the UK to impose sanctions on 11 people «for their links to a criminal network that targeted foreign dissidents and opponents of the Iranian regime with the aim of killing them on the orders of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security.»
He added: «It is believed that the individuals identified today were involved in a network that carried out transnational repression, including numerous murders and kidnappings, and planned operations in the United States.»
The United States will continue to use all available tools to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its attempts to extend its repression internationally, as well as for its ongoing human rights violations against its own people and actions designed to sow instability in the Middle East region and beyond.» .
Joe Biden, the US president, blamed Iran-backed militias for Sunday's drone attack on Tower 22, a remote logistics post in Jordan near the Syrian border.
Three US troops were killed and at least 34 were wounded, the first American casualties since the war in Gaza began, and Mr Biden said the US “must respond”.
Working above this. 'ensure regional stability'
Earlier, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We are concerned and encourage Iran to continue to de-escalate tensions in the region. We absolutely condemn what has happened over the last couple of days.
“My thoughts are with all the victims, those who died, their families and those who were injured. We, along with our allies, strongly support stability and peace in the region, and that is where we will continue to work.”
The Prime Minister's spokesman declined to comment on whether he would support any US crackdown. , but said, “We will support our U.S. allies in our ongoing and joint fight against terrorism.” He said the UK was working to «ensure regional stability» and was «very aware» of the desire of some groups to stoke instability.
Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labor Party, said those behind the drone strike should be «held accountable» but added: «I am concerned about the potential for escalation of an already dangerous situation in the Middle East, so we must view it in that context and do everything we can to ensure that the conflict does not escalate.»
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