A coalition of 22 nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, issued a joint warning to Iran on Thursday to cease extraterritorial attacks on their soil. The countries accused Tehran of utilizing criminal gangs and the Quds Force to target dissidents, journalists, and Jewish communities through plots involving kidnapping, harassment, and lethal violence.
Why did 22 countries issue a joint warning to Iran?
The coalition issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s security services for what they described as the “deplorable” use of local and international criminal gangs. According to the statement, these groups are being used to facilitate plots across Europe, North America, and Australia.
The participating nations—which include Albania, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States—stated that such actions undermine national sovereignty and international norms.
The statement specifically identified the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) intelligence services and its foreign operations branch, the Quds Force, as being engaged in “lethal plotting and malign actions.” These actions reportedly target Iranian dissidents, journalists, and Jewish and Israeli interests.
What is the role of HAYI in recent attacks?
The countries accused Iran of backing a campaign of attacks across Europe targeting specific communities. These attacks were claimed by a group known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), which translates to “The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand.”
HAYI has claimed responsibility for several incidents, including attacks on Jewish communities in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In North London, the group reportedly claimed responsibility for the stabbing of two Jewish men and a series of arson attacks on synagogues and community sites over recent months.
HAYI operates as a proxy group, allowing state actors to maintain “plausible deniability” while conducting operations through non-state criminal or militant organizations.
How has Australia escalated its stance against Tehran?
Australia has taken some of the most significant diplomatic steps against Iran in recent years. In August last year, Canberra expelled Iran’s ambassador following accusations that Tehran directed at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, including an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue and the torching of a kosher cafe in Sydney.
Following the expulsion, Australia withdrew its own ambassador to Iran and suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran. The escalation continued in November when Australia designated the Revolutionary Guards as a state sponsor of terrorism. Canberra described the alleged attacks as “unprecedented and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation.”
The Iranian foreign ministry responded to these measures, calling Australia’s decision an “insulting and unjustified act” that violates international rules.
Comparison: Diplomatic Responses to Iranian Activity
| Action Type | Coalition Approach (22 Nations) | Australian Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic | Joint formal condemnation | Expulsion of ambassador; embassy suspension |
| Legal/Security | Warning to halt “malign actions” | Designation of IRGC as state sponsor of terrorism |
What future security trends could emerge from this coalition?
The formation of this 22-nation bloc suggests a shift toward multilateral intelligence sharing to combat “proxy-based” state aggression. As intelligence agencies identify more instances of state-sponsored criminal gangs, security protocols in Western nations are likely to tighten around diaspora communities and high-profile dissidents.
Security experts anticipate two primary trends. First, there may be an increase in “law enforcement-led” counter-intelligence. Because Iran is allegedly using criminal gangs rather than official military personnel, Western nations must treat these threats as both criminal matters and national security breaches.
Second, the use of “state sponsor of terrorism” designations may become a more common tool for middle powers like Australia to signal red lines. This moves the conflict from traditional diplomatic protests into the realm of severe economic and legal sanctions.
When monitoring geopolitical stability, watch for the intersection of local organized crime trends and foreign intelligence activity. The “outsourcing” of state operations to criminal proxies is a growing indicator of hybrid warfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries signed the joint warning to Iran?
The 22 signatories include the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and several other European and Pacific nations.
What is HAYI?
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) is a group that has claimed responsibility for several attacks against Jewish communities in Europe, including stabbings and arson in the UK.
Why is the IRGC mentioned in the statement?
The coalition specifically accused the IRGC’s intelligence services and the Quds Force of conducting “lethal plotting” against journalists, dissidents, and Jewish interests.
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