Iran has summoned the British ambassador to Tehran to protest what it described as “baseless accusations” made by British officials following the sentencing of two men convicted over the 2024 stabbing of an Iranian journalist in London.
According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its formal protest to the British envoy, condemning what it called the United Kingdom’s “inappropriate approach” toward the Islamic Republic.
The diplomatic move follows the sentencing of two Romanian nationals who were convicted of carrying out a knife attack on Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati outside his London residence in 2024.
During sentencing, the presiding judge stated that the evidence “overwhelmingly points” to the attack having been carried out on behalf of the Iranian government.
Following the court’s decision, UK Security Minister Angela Eagle described the assault as an “abhorrent attack” carried out on behalf of Iran and affirmed that the British government would continue to hold Tehran accountable.
In response, Iran rejected the allegations and accused the United Kingdom of providing a platform for what it described as hostile media organisations.
According to IRNA, Iranian authorities told the British ambassador that the UK’s continued hosting of Iran International—a Persian-language television broadcaster based in London—violates its international obligations.
Tehran alleged that the broadcaster is financed and directed by Israel and accused it of encouraging violence and terrorism, insisting that its activities should be halted.
Iran International, which operates from a high-security facility in west London, was designated a terrorist organisation by the Iranian government in 2022, alongside the BBC’s Persian-language service.
The latest diplomatic exchange further underscores ongoing tensions between Tehran and London, particularly over security issues, media freedom and allegations of foreign interference.