The FBI has disrupted an Iranian-backed plot to deploy a sniper against a major US event, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The operation, which involved multiple suspects with ties to Tehran, was in its final stages before being intercepted by federal agents. British security services have been placed on high alert following intelligence sharing between the two nations, underscoring the transnational nature of the threat.
The plot targeted a large public gathering, though officials have not disclosed which event. The US Department of Justice confirmed that charges have been filed against several individuals, describing the conspiracy as a direct threat to national security. Iranian state media has dismissed the allegations as "baseless propaganda."
This development comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West, following Tehran's nuclear advances and support for proxy groups across the Middle East. The UK's MI5 has increased surveillance of potential Iranian-linked assets within Britain, with counter-terrorism policing stepping up patrols at key sites.
Analysts note that the use of snipers is a hallmark of Iranian covert operations, which have included assassination plots against dissidents abroad. The foiled attack represents a significant escalation in Iran's willingness to target Western soil directly.
British Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that "the government will take all necessary steps to protect the British public and our allies from state-sponsored terrorism." The UK's National Security Council is set to convene an emergency session later today.
While the immediate threat appears contained, security experts caution that Iranian networks remain active across Europe. The incident echoes the 2018 plot to bomb a rally in Paris, which was also linked to Tehran.
The FBI and MI5 continue to cooperate closely, sharing intelligence on Iranian assets and financial channels. The public is urged to remain vigilant but not alarmed, as the primary operations have been neutralised. For now, the immediate danger has passed, but the shadow of state-sponsored terror lingers over the Atlantic alliance.
