The United Kingdom has summoned Iran’s ambassador and imposed sanctions on two Iranian nationals over alleged hostile activities linked to the Iranian regime.
The UK Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, announced the measures in a statement published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Monday.
The two individuals, Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified as head of counterespionage operations within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described as a facilitator of the Zindashti criminal network, are now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban and director disqualification.
According to the statement, the measures target their alleged roles in facilitating or engaging in hostile activities on behalf of the Iranian regime, including activities intended to threaten, plan or conduct attacks overseas.
“Iran’s continued attempts to undermine the security of the United Kingdom and international partners through its criminal networks, proxy groups and state-backed malign activity is unacceptable,” Miliband said.
He said he had instructed his department to summon Iran’s ambassador to reiterate Britain’s position on threats to its security.
“As we have repeatedly made clear to Iran, Britain will not tolerate threats on our soil. Today I instructed my department to summon the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Kingdom to reiterate this message in its entirety,” he said.
Miliband also announced the designation of the two Iranian nationals over their alleged involvement in hostile activities.
“We are also announcing the designation of two Iranian nationals for their role in facilitating or engaging in hostile activity on behalf of the Iranian regime, with the clear intent of threatening, planning or conducting attacks overseas,” he said.
The Foreign Secretary said the UK would continue taking measures to protect its national security and respond to activities it considers a threat.
“This Government will never waiver in our commitment to tacking Iran’s unacceptable actions and protecting our national security,” he said.
He added that the UK had already designated the IRGC under its new state threats powers and imposed major sanctions on individuals responsible for what it described as Iran’s hostile activities.
The announcement comes amid continuing tensions between London and Tehran over alleged threats involving Iranian state-linked networks and activities abroad.