Iran Coerces British-Iranians to Join Anti-Israel Protests by Threatening Relatives in Iran

A British Jewish newspaper, the Jewish Chronicle, revealed that Iran is coercing Iranian expatriates in the UK to participate in anti-Israel and anti-Western protests by threatening their detained or imprisoned family members in Iran. Agents from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence contact regime opponents identified at London opposition protests, pressuring them to join pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrations organized by groups such as the PSC and Stop the War coalition.

One British-Iranian, known as "Sam," described how his sister was arrested in Iran and he was forced via WhatsApp to prove his loyalty by attending protests and posting supportive images on social media. Despite complying and protesting in June, his sister remains imprisoned. Another case involved a woman called "Sarah," whose brother was detained without political background to pressure her and her husband to join protests, including an anti-war conference in June 2026. Sarah said participating led to accusations of betrayal among the Iranian community in the UK, while her brother remains jailed.

A third source reported being pressured to protest outside a British air force base demanding the US stop using it amid the Iran conflict, in exchange for a relative's release, but refused. British politicians condemned these tactics, with Lord Polak urging stronger government action against the Revolutionary Guards and MP Luke Akehurst warning of attempts to import extremism and influence UK political discourse through forced participation.

The UK Home Office stated it takes Iranian threats seriously and that police and security forces are working relentlessly to stop such coercion.