MI5 SHOCK WARNING: Iran Unleashes 'Hybrid Campaign' Against UK Jewish Communities

Sir Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, today warned that Iran is attempting to 'expand a hybrid campaign' to attack Britain, specifically targeting Jewish communities in Manchester. Speaking on October 13, Sir Ken outlined a 'new era of national security' comparable to the post-9/11 world, highlighting the nation's struggles against state actors like Iran and Russia. He expressed concern that terrorists are also exploiting artificial intelligence (AI) to improve reconnaissance, launch drone attacks, and potentially create biological weapons.

In his annual threat assessment speech at MI5's London headquarters, Sir Ken stated that while Russia remains 'aggressor number one,' Iran is 'the other state keen on subcontracting its UK violence.' Since 2022, MI5 has observed Iran's intent to use criminal proxies to intimidate oppositionists, Iranian media organizations, and Israeli sites. Over the past 12 months, Iranian-linked operations have led to more than 50 arrests in the UK. Much of this aggression has been directed at British Jewish communities, with Sir Ken expressing solidarity.

Recent incidents include two Iranian nationals charged with terrorism offenses following an alleged plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester. Additionally, the spring saw a wave of arson and sabotage incidents against Jewish communities in the UK and other European countries, including attacks on ambulances, synagogues, and businesses. These acts were claimed by a group called the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, which MI5 asserts has members of the IRGC behind its front. Both entities are now designated under the National Security Act, granting increased powers for disruption and prosecution. Sir Ken affirmed that those seeking to cause mayhem on British streets, whether hired thugs or overseas paymasters, will face an unflinching response.

The MI5 boss also referenced different types of terrorism, including Islamist, extreme right-wing, extreme left-wing, and Northern Ireland-related threats. Despite determined efforts degrading Islamic State's capabilities, Al Qaeda and Islamic State continue to direct and inspire attacks, requiring MI5 to respond to attempts at mass casualty attacks in the UK. In February, three Islamist extremists were convicted for planning to use automatic weapons against the Jewish community in Manchester.

MI5 is now dedicating more time to 'state threats' than it did during the Cold War. Sir Ken elaborated on the dangers of AI, noting it is 'supercharging the cybersecurity contest.' AI is being used to produce propaganda and radicalizing material, and there's a risk it could enable dangerous knowledge to fall into the wrong hands, including potentially for manufacturing biological weapons. He described AI as a foe 'smarter than we are,' a challenge humanity has never faced before.

Further details emerged last week regarding two Iranians who appeared in court, charged over an alleged plot to attack members of the Jewish community in Salford. Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, are accused of 'preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism' on the eve of Yom Kippur last month. They were arrested in Manchester's Northern Quarter on September 20. Prosecutors allege they conducted 'hostile reconnaissance' on Manchester's Jewish community, identifying potential targets such as the Jewish Museum and Heaton Park Synagogue, and planned to use a 'homemade explosive device.' Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Salehi and Ahmadyan were in contact with an overseas third party, believed to be in Iran, and acquired documents and video material on manufacturing an improvised explosive device, along with necessary liquids, components, and equipment.