Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect the Iranian diaspora and journalists in the UK from transnational repression by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The first duty of this Government is to keep the country safe. We will not tolerate any Iran-backed threats on UK soil. We continually assess potential threats to the UK, and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety incredibly seriously. Attempts by foreign Governments to intimidate, harass or harm individuals, are unacceptable.

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. The National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies.

It is vital that journalists are able to continue their jobs without the fear of attack or threat. A free and robust media is essential - for national security, for human rights, and for democratic governance. That is why we remain an important member of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), which we co-founded in 2019.

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.

We will continue to prioritise the safety and security of UK citizens and interests, working swiftly and in partnership to confront all aspects of Iran’s hostile actions.