Matthew Dunn, a former MI6 intelligence officer and spy novelist, discusses the threat of Iranian hit squads operating in the UK and the US. These squads are composed of highly trained ex-members of the Iranian security forces and intelligence services. They have been active since the 80s but have managed to largely stay out of the public eye. The podcast explores the potential impact of these hit squads on their targets and questions whether Western intelligence agencies are taking them seriously enough. The episode also touches on the recruitment process for MI6 and the political structure of Iran.
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Quick takeaways
Iranian hit squads are operating in the UK, the US, and other Western nations, threatening Iranians critical of the regime living abroad.
Intelligence agencies face challenges in preventing Iranian assassination plots due to state backing, necessitating ongoing vigilance.
Iran's use of hit squads and hostage diplomacy demonstrates their efforts to maintain control and export terrorism amidst internal instability.
Deep dives
Iranian hit squads operating globally
Iranian intelligence services, including hit squads, are actively operating not only in London and the UK, but also in other parts of the world, including the US. Their main targets are Iranians living abroad who are critical of the Iranian regime or have somehow wronged the regime in the past. These hit squads employ tactics such as threatening to kidnap, torture, or kill individuals and have been involved in multiple assassination attempts. The level of Iranian activity in this regard is significant, although the actual number of attempts and plots may be higher than officially reported.
Former MI6 operator and spy novelist Matthew Dunn on Iranian hit squads
In a podcast episode, former MI6 operator Matthew Dunn discusses Iranian hit squads operating in London and the US. He sheds light on their activities, emphasizing that their actions are not limited to London, but extend to other global cities. These hit squads primarily target Iranians living abroad, Western nations critical of the Iranian regime, as well as politicians and dissidents. Dunn highlights the boldness and savagery of these squads and the necessity of foiling their attempts to send a strong message while keeping in mind that some plots may still succeed.
Complexity and challenges of foiling Iranian assassination plots
Preventing Iranian assassination plots poses significant challenges for intelligence agencies, such as MI5 in the UK. These plots require considerable planning and resources, and the agents involved often have state backing. Foiling these plots involves thorough intelligence gathering, coordination, and international cooperation. While some attempts may be successfully prevented, intelligence agencies are aware that not all plots can be stopped, necessitating ongoing vigilance and efforts to safeguard potential targets.
Reasons behind Iranian hit squad activities
The primary motive behind Iranian hit squad activities is to silence and instill fear among Iranians living abroad who pose a threat to the regime. Dissidents, politicians, and individuals critical of Iran are targeted to send a message that their actions will not go unpunished. The brutality of these acts is intended to demonstrate the power and reach of the Iranian regime, solidifying its control over its citizens and dissuading opposition.
Iranian hit squads and hostage diplomacy
The podcast episode discusses the tactics used by Iran, including the deployment of hit squads and the strategy of hostage diplomacy. These hit squads are highly trained personnel from the Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, who train and support other terrorist organizations in conducting acts of terrorism on behalf of Iran. The episode highlights how Iran's use of proxies and criminal organizations allows them to carry out covert operations while maintaining deniability. Additionally, the podcast explores how Iran utilizes hostage diplomacy, trading captured individuals for their operatives arrested in foreign countries. This tactic gives Iran an upper hand in negotiations and puts Western nations at a disadvantage.
The episode delves into the correlation between Iran's exporting of terrorism and the regime's decline in stability. As Iran faces internal challenges, such as uprisings and demands for change from its population, the regime escalates its covert activities, including the actions of the Quds Force. It is suggested that as regimes like Iran and Putin's Russia become more unstable, they are likely to export more terrorism in an attempt to maintain their grip on power. This poses a significant threat to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe, as they may become targets of increased terrorist activities orchestrated by these regimes.
Why are Iranian hit squads operating in the UK and even the US? Former MI6 intelligence officer and spy novelist Matthew Dunn shares his inside info here!
What We Discuss with Matthew Dunn:
Iranian hit squads are operating in the UK, the US, and other Western nations, threatening to kidnap, torture, and kill Iranians living abroad who are critical of the current regime.
These hit squads are not expendable cannon fodder — they’re usually composed of former members of the Iranian security forces and intelligence services who are seriously trained to get the job done.
This is not a new phenomenon — these hit squads have been working since the ’80s. But how have they kept themselves largely out of the public eye, and why have they suddenly become more active than ever before?
We’ll examine the threat these hit squads pose to their targets and the general population, and scrutinize whether or not Western intelligence agencies are taking them seriously enough to counter their efforts.
What function does MI6 serve in the post-Cold War landscape, and how does someone get invited to become part of its team?