
Why Iranian networks could be recruiting Brits for terror
From This Is Why by Sky News
April 28, 2026 · 18 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the suspected recruitment of Brits by Iranian intelligence services for terror activities.
Iranian intelligence services are suspected of actively recruiting in the UK, using AI and social networks to entice potential sign-ups. Sky News has uncovered evidence of how apparent Iranian networks are using the chat platform Telegram to target recruits. It follows an increase in attacks on Jewish communities across the UK – with authorities suggesting that some perpetrators may have been taking orders from Tehran. But why might petty crooks or youngsters be tempted to become involved? How worried should we be about their activities? And what level of threat does Iran pose here in the UK? Niall is joined by Sky New’s Home Editor Jason Farrell, whose producer infiltrated a suspected Iranian intelligence account. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
People in this episode
Host: Niall
Guest: Jason Farrell
Topics covered
- Iranian intelligence
- recruitment
- terrorism
- social networks
- UK security
- AI
Keywords
- Iran
- recruitment
- terror
- UK
- AI
- Telegram
- Jewish communities
- security
Mentioned in this episode
Places: UK, Tehran, Jewish communities
More episodes of This Is Why
- Why Labour’s ‘Action Man’ Al Carns could challenge for No 10 · June 12, 2026 · 21 min
- Why the US’s Iran-fuelled inflation is trouble for Trump (and the UK) · June 11, 2026 · 15 min
- Why Belfast’s troubled past made violence inevitable · June 10, 2026 · 15 min
- Why the UK has fallen behind on drone warfare · June 9, 2026 · 16 min
- Why Trump and Netanyahu are split on Iran · June 8, 2026 · 17 min
- Why Beatrice and Eugenie living rent-free is a risk for the royals · June 5, 2026 · 18 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the This Is Why podcast page.