UK Security and Border Protection Minister Calls Iran a 'Hostile State' Over Cyberattacks

Damien Hinds, the British Minister for Security and Border Protection, said that Iran, along with China, Russia and North Korea, are considered hostile states due to their "malign activities in the cyber arena."

In an interview with the London-based Daily Telegraph, he said that the three countries - China, Russia, and Iran - have significant human resources and technical capabilities to carry out cyber attacks, and they can develop and modernize these capabilities.

Disseminating false and misleading information, cyberattacks on the computer networks of government institutions and private companies, and sending spies to other countries are among the methods used by these countries, according to Mr. Hinds.

This is not the first time that British security officials have identified these three countries as serious security threats.

According to the Associated Press, in late November 2021, Richard Moore, head of Britain's foreign counter-intelligence agency (MI6), also said that China, Russia, Iran, and terrorism are Britain's "four security concerns."

Mr Moore added that China is seen as the biggest threat to Britain, as its leaders advocate "bold and decisive action" to protect their interests.

A few days after these statements, the Russian Foreign Security Service said in a statement that these "provocative and groundless" statements would damage the possibility of improving relations between Moscow and London. China's Foreign Ministry has also consistently denied the accusations made by Western countries against its country.

Source: Radio Farda