UK Summons Senior Iranian Diplomat Over Stabbing Of Journalist In London

Britain on Tuesday summoned Iran’s Chargé d’Affaires, Tehran’s most senior diplomat in London, following the conviction and sentencing of two Iranian nationals over the stabbing of an Iranian-born journalist in the British capital.

The move came after Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, were sentenced to eight and 12 years in prison respectively for their roles in the March 2024 attack on journalist Pouria Zeraati, who works for Persian-language broadcaster Iran International.

British prosecutors said the two men acted as proxies for the Iranian government. Although they pleaded not guilty to charges of wounding with intent, they were found guilty by London’s Woolwich Crown Court in June and sentenced last week.

Zeraati, a British journalist of Iranian origin, was stabbed three times in the leg near his home in southwest London in what prosecutors described as a targeted attack.

Announcing the diplomatic protest, Britain’s Foreign Office said the trial judge concluded that the assault had been carried out “in the interests of, and on behalf of, the Iranian state.”

The ministry said the attack was part of what it described as a longstanding pattern of hostile activities by Iranian intelligence services on British soil.

“Iran’s actions attempt to undermine UK sovereignty and security and are completely unacceptable. It must cease these activities immediately,” the Foreign Office said.

British lawmakers have previously warned that Iran poses a significant and wide-ranging security threat to the United Kingdom, citing alleged plots targeting dissidents, journalists and other individuals linked to the Iranian opposition.

Iran has consistently denied such allegations. Its embassy in London has described the accusations as “unfounded, politically motivated and hostile.” The embassy did not immediately respond to the British government’s latest diplomatic action.

The summons marks another escalation in tensions between London and Tehran, as British authorities continue to scrutinise alleged Iranian-linked activities within the UK.