An expert has explained why he thinks Iran could 'use secret agents to sabotage the UK' following the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.
Iran fired more missiles at Israel on Monday (16 June) morning to mark the fourth day of open warfare between the two countries.
Why Israel attacked Iran
Israel claimed Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons, which was a threat to their national security, and attacked their nuclear infrastructure on Friday (13 June).
The operation killed several senior military figures and nuclear scientists, as well as at least 224 people, according to PA.
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As a response, Iran launched some 100 missiles, which has brought Israel's death toll to at least 19.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement that 'the leaders discussed the long-held grave concerns about Iran's nuclear programme' but has 'called on all sides to refrain from further escalation that could further destabilise the region'.
Iran's chilling warning
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel 'should anticipate a severe punishment', as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the attack a 'declaration of war'.
Their foreign ministry called Israel's operation 'acts of aggression' and said that 'the US government, as the primary patron of this regime, will also bear responsibility'.
The US said it was not involved in the strikes, but President Trump said he was aware of Israel's plans.
How the UK could be affected
Although Starmer has called for a de-escalation of the conflict, professor Anthony Glees believes that 'if [the UK] protects Israel it will consider attacking us'.
"They can't fire a ballistic missile at the UK we're over 3,000 miles away and they don't have an intercontinental weapon yet," he told the Daily Star.
Glees, who heads the University of Buckingham's Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies, thinks Iran 'could use their agents in the UK to sabotage us in various ways – that's a real threat'.
"Just a few days ago two different groups of Iranian secret agents were convicted here in the UK of evil works," the professor added.
"However, I think MI5 is on the case here. That means possible attacks on our forces in the area. There's Cyprus but that's quite far away from Iran.
"Our bases in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman are handy targets for the ayatollahs and their revolutionary guard (whose latest leader has already been assassinated by the IDF)."
"If they attacked us, we'd join the Israelis in obliterating them," he said.
Topics: News, Politics, UK News, World News, Iran
Anish Vij