A HORRIFIC Iranian plot to assassinate top British TV news presenters has been foiled.
The UK has now slapped travel bans and frozen the assets of eight senior Iranian officials.
A sinister group inside Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), known as Unit 840, has also been hit with sanctions.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron warned of Tehran’s “unacceptable threat” to Britain’s security as he unveiled the measures.
An investigation by ITV revealed the murder plot had been orchestrated by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The plant was to murder Iran International journalists Fardad Farahzad and Sima Sabet.
The initial plot was to plant a car bomb outside the television studio before they resolved to stab the presenters to death instead.
MI5 has warned of 15 Iranian plots to murder British nationals or critics of the regime based in the UK since January 2022.
Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, announcing the sanctions, said: “The Iranian regime has tried to undermine our democracy through repression — we will continue to take action when necessary to protect our country, values and freedom of speech.
“We cannot allow foreign regimes to collaborate with criminals to threaten us. Sanctioning these criminal networks working for the Iranian regime will remind them that we will fight back.”
Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, named as the head of Iran’s international drug and trafficking cartel, Mohammed Ansari and Muhammed Abd al-Razek Kanafani, have all been sanctioned.
The sanctions have been announced amid heightening tensions with Tehran. Iranian backed militias killed three US soldiers during a drone strike over the weekend in Jordan.
Iranian backed Houthis have continued to target shipping in the busy Red Sea route.
The UK and US launched retaliatory strikes against Houthi sites in Yemen after rebels refused to halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Dangerous Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have continued to threaten the lives of sailors and disrupt shipping at an intolerable cost to the global economy.
“Along with our US partners, we have conducted a further round of strikes in self-defence.
“Aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities, this action will deal another blow to their limited stockpiles and ability to threaten global trade.
“Alongside our ongoing diplomatic efforts, we will continue to support regional stability across the Middle East, working hand in hand with our like-minded partners.”
Houthis rebels have warned the UK and US to expect retaliation following the second blitz. Military spokesman Yahya Saree said: “These attacks will not go unanswered and unpunished.”
