The long reach of Irans terrorist activities.

Iran accused of threatening ‘terrified’ BBC staff in London

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/oct/16/iran-accused-of-threatening-terrified-bbc-staff-in-london

Journalists at BBC Persian says they are scared to go out alone as UK counter-terrorism police raise security levels and staff warned: ‘we can do whatever we want in London’

BBC staff in London say they fear walking outside alone after being harassed by the Iranian authorities, with British counter-terrorism police warning of an increased security threat.

The Guardian has been told that journalists at the BBC’s Persian language news outlet are being targeted with offensive messages and threats of sexual assault, with reports of family members based in Iran being arbitrarily detained.

In one message, an Iranian-British journalist working for the BBC says she was told: “On Westminster Bridge is a very deep river. It doesn’t matter that you don’t live in Iran – we can also do whatever we want in London.”

She says: “I left my country to seek freedom but now I’m afraid even to jog in London’s woods alone. I’m afraid for my little one’s safety because I have gotten numerous threats regarding them, warning me that they can find our home address and [my child’s] school.”

In October 2022, the Iranian foreign affairs ministry named BBC Persian in a list of organisations and people sanctioned for “deliberate actions in support of terrorism, incitement of violence, and human rights abuses”.

BBC staff have told the Guardian of living in “constant fear” similar to being in a war zone, and needing support from therapists and specialists in PTSD.

The scale of intimidation faced by BBC staff has given an insight into how the Iranian regime’s use of violence and blackmail extends to the UK.

Iran is increasingly targeting people outside its borders in a tactic known as transnational repression that aims to stifle debate or criticism.