Iran summons UK ambassador over stabbing allegation, denies accusations

Iran summoned the British ambassador to Tehran to protest what it described as "baseless accusations" following a London court's sentencing of two individuals for a knife attack reportedly orchestrated by Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry conveyed its strong objection to the British government's "inappropriate approach" towards the Iranian nation.

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Following the repetition of false and baseless accusations by British officials against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the country’s ambassador in Tehran was summoned to the ministry, and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s protest against the British government’s inappropriate approach towards the Iranian nation was conveyed to him.

The case involved two Romanians who were convicted of attacking Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati outside his London home in 2024. They received sentences of 12 and eight years, respectively. The judge presiding over the sentencing stated that the evidence "overwhelmingly points" to the attack being carried out on behalf of the Iranian government. British security minister Angela Eagle echoed this sentiment, calling the attack "abhorrent" and vowing to hold the Iranian regime accountable.

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the evidence overwhelmingly points to the attack on Pouria Zeraati, a news presenter for Persian-language outlet Iran International, having been carried out on behalf of the Iranian government.

Iran's state media, IRNA, countered these claims by accusing Britain of violating international legal obligations. Tehran asserted that Britain's continued hosting of "terrorist channels," which Iran claims are financed and directed by Israel, promotes violence and terrorism. Iran specifically mentioned Iran International, a private broadcaster based in London, which Tehran designated as a terrorist organization in 2022, alongside the BBC's Persian-language service.

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the “abhorrent attack” was “carried out on behalf of Iran” and “we will continue to hold the regime to account”.

The summoning of the ambassador highlights the escalating diplomatic tensions between Iran and the UK, stemming from allegations of state-sponsored violence and counter-accusations regarding the hosting of media outlets critical of the Iranian government.

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the country’s “continued hosting of terrorist channels that are financed and directed by the apartheid and fake Israeli regime, and whose main role is to encourage violence and terrorism, violates the British government’s international legal obligations to refrain from supporting terrorism and must be stopped as soon as possible”.