An investigation has uncovered what appears to be an Iranian intelligence operation seeking to recruit Britons to stage anti-Israel street demonstrations and distribute propaganda posters.
A journalist from The Times, working undercover, spent more than two weeks communicating with a suspected operative after responding to a recruitment link on a public Telegram channel purportedly connected to the Islamic Republic's security services.
The channel, advertised on Iranian state television, directed the reporter to an account called "VIPEmployment" where contact was established with an individual identifying himself as Mahdy, who claimed to be based in Iran.
The suspected agent asserted he was coordinating multiple operatives across the UK whilst also suggesting he maintained communications with contacts in Israel.
Mahdy offered payment in return for planning and staging a demonstration against Israel in the capital, whilst also pressing the undercover journalist to bring in additional recruits from his personal and professional networks.
"Anyone with any ability should declare it and explain what their abilities and access are so we can make a plan for them," the suspected operative wrote in messages that alternated between broken English and Farsi.
As an initial trust-building exercise, the agent instructed the reporter to affix posters on prominent London streets and film the results.
The propaganda materials included imagery attacking Israeli policy and one depicting Donald Trump wearing a crown with the slogan "No Kings."
Iran has been attempting to recruit Britons using Telegram, an investigation has found
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When the journalist mentioned basic programming abilities, Mahdy requested he build an online petition concerning Iranian children.
The Telegram account was abruptly deleted last week.
The Metropolitan Police is now investigating whether this "gig economy" approach to espionage is being deployed within the capital.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans stated: "We are considering whether this tactic is being used here in London recruiting violence as a service."
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The suspected agent asserted he was coordinating multiple operatives across the UK
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Her comments follow a spate of arson attacks across Europe targeting premises with Jewish connections, including synagogues, schools and businesses.
A shadowy group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, known as Hayi, has claimed responsibility for numerous incidents.
Multiple experts assess this organisation to be a cover for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Police are examining whether these attacks were carried out by criminal proxies hired remotely by a foreign state through online recruitment channels.
The recruitment method closely resembles techniques developed by Russian intelligence services following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when hundreds of operatives working under diplomatic cover were expelled from embassies throughout Europe.
This approach has since been linked to numerous sabotage and influence operations across the continent, traced back to Moscow.
Last summer, a group of men received convictions for setting fire to an East London warehouse storing humanitarian supplies destined for Ukraine.
The same individuals had also plotted to abduct the wealthy Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin.
Their recruitment occurred after one member, Dylan Earl, reached out to a Telegram account associated with the Wagner Group mercenary organisation, expressing eagerness to undertake "missions" on their behalf.
Neither the Iranian embassy nor Telegram provided comment when approached.
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