‘Get Focused on London’: How Iran’s Agents Attacked European Targets

What the report says

The New York Times reports that U.S. prosecutors have disclosed new details about a series of attacks and plots in Britain and other parts of Europe that they say were organized by people linked to Iran and its network of proxies. The case centers on a springtime wave of assaults that targeted Jewish institutions in London and, separately, a British air base used by U.S. forces. According to the indictment described by the newspaper, the effort involved coordination between an Iraqi operative in Brooklyn, an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps member, and associates in Britain.

The article says the group used encrypted and video calls, maps of London and criminal contacts to direct attacks, including an attempted synagogue arson in April and the burning of ambulances serving a Jewish volunteer organization. Prosecutors also allege the network discussed drones, missiles and sabotage against U.S. military facilities, reflecting a broader strategy of using low-cost, deniable operations to pressure American allies during the Iran conflict.

The Times says the plot extended to R.A.F. Mildenhall and R.A.F. Fairford in England, both linked to U.S. air operations in Europe. Officials moved aircraft from Mildenhall this week after detecting a possible Iran-backed drone threat. The reporting suggests that the campaign was designed to sow fear, disrupt support for U.S. and Israeli military activity, and exploit criminal intermediaries to carry out attacks far from Iran.