The Iranian ambassador in London has been called to the Foreign Office following ‘unacceptable and inflammatory’ remarks made on social media.
This development follows a report by the Mail uncovering that the Iranian embassy had been encouraging UK residents to participate in a ‘martyrdom’ initiative.
Counter-terrorism police have confirmed they are investigating the social media post, which calls upon ‘proud Iranian compatriots’ to enlist, raising concerns about national security.
The message invited ‘all brave and noble children of Iran’ who wish to defend their homeland to step forward in a show of ‘solidarity, loyalty, and national zeal.’
Alarmingly, the post, written in Farsi on the embassy’s official Telegram channel, stated: ‘Let us all, to a man, give our bodies to be slain; For it is better than giving our country to the enemy.’
In response, Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer summoned Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi to the Foreign Office on Tuesday.
A statement said it was in response to ‘the Iranian embassy’s unacceptable and inflammatory comments on social media.’
It said: ‘The Minister made clear that these actions and comments were completely unacceptable, and that the Embassy must cease any form of communications that could be interpreted as encouraging violence in the UK or internationally.
Consulate officials posted a message encouraging ‘proud Iranian compatriots residing in Britain’ to register for its ‘Jan Fada’ – or ‘sacrificing life’ – scheme
Counter terror police are investigating the post calling for expats to join a ‘martyrdom’ program
‘Iran’s brutal and repressive regime will continue to be called out by the UK Government for its malign activities on UK soil, its reckless attacks against our allies in the Gulf, and its violence against its own people.
‘The UK Government is clear that protecting national security remains our top priority, and we will take all measures necessary to protect the British people.’
The Iranian Embassy has insisted that the ‘Jan Fada’ – or ‘sacrificing life’ – program ‘does not promote any form of hostility’.
But counter terror police are investigating the post. A spokesman said: ‘We are aware of the post allegedly linked to the Iranian Embassy and specialist officers are in the process of assessing this to determine whether any further police action may be required.’
Australian police are investigating a similar recruitment drive from the Canberra Embassy while Iranian security experts warned the Mail this is a ‘significant’ security threat.
Cameron Khansarnia, Chief of Staff for Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi told the Mail: ‘This is a direct threat to Britain’s National Security. It’s a stark warning that further aggression is being organised on British soil.
Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer summoned Iranian Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi,
There are significant security concerns as detectives are probing whether an attack on Jewish ambulances in London last month has links to Iran
‘There can be no meaningful diplomacy with a terrorist entity, and repeating the failures of the past will only prolong the suffering of the Iranian people but also expose Britain to further risks of terrorism.’
Israel has also hit out at the post. Its Foreign Ministry shared the Mail’s article and said: ‘The Iranian regime is reportedly using its embassy in the UK to recruit terrorists.
‘Diplomatic cover cannot be a shield for terror activity. Acting against such missions is a necessary response to a regime that exploits diplomacy to spread violence.’
The post directed sympathisers to the Iranian Foreign Ministry website where they could sign up to the Jan Fada programme through its Mikhak system.
This is the official consular services platform every Iranian must use if they want anything from a passport or ID card to getting married, registering the birth of a child or selling property.
Sir Keir Starmer finally pledged to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation in the King’s Speech last week which would bring Britain in line with the US and Canada.
But he has yet to introduce the legislation despite growing evidence of Iran’s involvement in attacks against the Jewish community and Iranian dissidents in the UK.
The Iranian-linked Islamist group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) claimed responsibility for an arson attack at the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, northwest London, last weekend.
It was the fifth attack on the Jewish community within the past week claimed by the group, which is being investigated by the UK’s intelligence service over its links to the Iranian state.
A spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in London said: ‘Iranians around the world have always cared deeply about their homeland and the protection of its territorial integrity and they always will.
‘The “Jan Fada” platform is intended for all Iranians who wish to support and defend their country, and it does not promote any form of hostility.
‘Any claims or assumptions to the contrary are simply unfounded. Such biased judgments are made hastily and without proper understanding.’
