Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to protect Iranian dissidents, journalists and human‑rights defenders resident in the UK from surveillance, harassment and threats linked to the Iranian state.

The Home Office works closely with other Government departments as well as relevant agencies and law enforcement to protect those identified as being at risk.  We will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK and its people against any threats from the Iranian state. Any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK, including Iranian dissidents, journalists and human-rights defenders, will be thoroughly investigated.

The National Security Act 2023 strengthens our powers to counter transnational repression and provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats.  Last year, I announced a robust package of measures to tackle state threats from Iran. This included placing Iran on the Enhanced Tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS). I also announced new training for all frontline police officers on state threats; further sanctions against Iranian-linked criminal groups; an independent review of the parts of our counter-terrorism framework which could be applied to state threats; continued support to the Jewish community; and strengthened enforcement of our immigration measures to protect the UK from Iranian interference.

Finally, the National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing will continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies, including Persian language media organisations.

Anyone who thinks they might be a victim should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police via 101, a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.