Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to tackle threats towards UK-based journalists working for the Iran International new channel.

The UK will not tolerate Iranian threats against the lives of individuals in the UK. His Majesty's Government has identified at least 15 such threats since January 2022, including against Iran International employees based in London, and is working to tackle this domestic threat. Iran has established a pattern of this type of behaviour which is deplorable, yet sadly typical of the regime and its lack of respect for basic rights.

On 20 February, the Security Minister gave a statement in the House of Commons on steps being taken to address the activities of the Iranian regime and its operatives in the UK. The Foreign Secretary also summoned Iran's most senior diplomat in the UK on 20 Feb to formally protest against the threats posed by the Iranian regime to the lives of UK-based Iran International employees.

The UK Government, law enforcement and our international partners continue to work together to respond to ensure Iran International's UK operations will resume. Targeting of UK-based journalists is an attack on freedom of speech. Media freedom is a vital part of our society and journalists must be able to investigate and report independently without fear. The UK stands in solidarity with those people under threat from Iran, both at home and around the world.