Richard Dearlove: Islamic Republic Agents a Threat to British Jews

Richard Dearlove considered agents of the Islamic Republic a threat to British Jews and opponents of the Islamic Republic.

Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6 (Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service), while warning about the threat posed by Islamic Republic agents to Jews and opponents of the Islamic Republic, criticized Britain’s continued reluctance to place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on its list of terrorist organizations. In the past, other former heads of Britain’s foreign intelligence service, such as Richard, have repeatedly warned about the threat of the Islamic Republic or its proxy groups in Britain.

According to British publication “Jewish Chronicle,” Richard Dearlove spoke about the Islamic Republic’s support for Islamists and hardline Shiite clerics in Britain: “It is likely that some of these Shiite groups may harbor extremists and terrorists, and security services are well aware of this problem.”

He spoke very clearly and explicitly about the threat to the Jewish community in Britain from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and pointed out that the Guard Corps may be reporting on the activities of Islamic Republic opponents in Britain to the Iranian government. He added on this matter: “The influence of Islamic Republic agents is significant and the Guard Corps performs very well in this type of work. There is a threat, there is a problem, whether this threat is through inciting extremists to attack the Jewish community or organizing demonstrations that frighten the Jewish community and encourage extremists.”

He also continued his warnings: “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, particularly in areas where Shiite Muslim communities exist, has significant influence. These are communities that in some way sympathize with the Islamic Republic and to some extent display supportive behavior toward the Islamic Republic. There are one or two mosques, including in London, that have been identified as places with this characteristic.”

Dearlove said in another part of his interview: “The Islamic Republic is the main destabilizing force in the Middle East and it is surprising that successive British governments have not designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. I really don’t understand why we haven’t done this. The Guard Corps is an organization through which Iran conducts so-called ‘remote distance’ wars. The Quds Force is part of the Guard Corps and they have made using this organization an essential part of Iran’s policy for destabilizing and interfering in other countries’ affairs.

I understand the reasons of the British Foreign Office for not banning the Guard Corps, but this organization should have been recognized as a terrorist organization long ago. If in any way we witness the end of theocratic rule in Iran, the Middle East will be different and will be regarded less as a geopolitical problem and fundamental threat to Israel.”

John Sawers, another former head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, in an interview with Sky News network, referred to Hamas attacks and Hezbollah groups and said: “Both of these groups are under the support of the Islamic Republic and may cause terrorist attacks in Britain.”

Besides Richard and John, other heads of this secret organization also advised British intelligence agencies to be on alert following the deaths of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

Dan Jarvis, the security deputy to Britain’s Home Secretary, also announced last month: “If any person residing on British soil who works for the Iranian government does not identify themselves and register their details, they will face a prison sentence.”