MI5 chief says Iran is targeting British military sites

Summary

MI5 chief Ken McCallum said Iran is seeking to intensify attacks in Britain beyond traditional targets of Iranians opposed to the country’s Islamic authorities, and said military sites are being targeted, The Hindu reports. The Hindu also says McCallum described a suspected plot at RAF Fairford as not unique. Earlier, CBS News reported that he warned Iran was focused on attacking harder targets, while The New York Times reported his warning of escalating hybrid threats from Iran and Russia on British soil.

Timeline

1. The New York Times

   13 Oct 2026, 16:04 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that the MI5 chief warned of escalating hybrid threats from Iran and Russia on British soil.

2. CBS News

   13 Oct 2026, 17:46 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that the U.K. spy chief warned Iran was focused on attacking harder targets.

3. The Hindu

   17 Oct 2026, 16:44 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Ken McCallum said Iran is targeting military sites and that a suspected plot at RAF Fairford was not unique.