Pouria Zeraati, an Iranian journalist, was attacked near his London home, raising concerns over the safety of dissidents in the UK amid rising threats.
Pouria Zeraati, an Iranian TV presenter working for Iran International, was stabbed near his home in Wimbledon, prompting an investigation by the Metropolitan Police in London. The incident, which left Zeraati recovering in hospital, has triggered concerns over the safety of dissidents residing in the UK. Tehran has denied any involvement in the assault, with the Iranian charge d’affaires in London refuting claims linking the Iranian government to the attack.
The attack occurred as two young men assaulted Zeraati, who identified himself as a journalist during the incident, before fleeing the scene. Despite Zeraati’s public identification and the history of threats against UK-based Iranian journalists by the Iranian regime, the motives behind the stabbing remain unclear. Iran International has reported receiving threats from the Iranian government, intensifying fears amongst its staff and the broader community of Iranian dissidents in the UK.
The involvement of counter-terrorism officers in the investigation underscores the severity of the situation, given recent threats and a foiled assassination attempt on Zeraati’s colleagues at Iran International. The UK and US have previously sanctioned Iranian officials for threats against individuals associated with the UK-based news channel, highlighting ongoing attempts to intimidate dissidents living abroad.
No arrests have been made in connection with the attack on Zeraati, leaving questions about the perpetrators and their motives unanswered. The incident underscores the precarious situation for Iranian dissidents in the UK, amidst calls for enhanced protection against transnational threats and violence.
