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The Story

'All I know is they want me dead': Iran's web of terror

The Story

The Times

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3.91.6K Ratings

🗓️ 5 December 2023

⏱️ 35 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Iran has built an intricate network of gangs, private investigators and assassins to target enemies of the regime around the world. An investigation by The Sunday Times has found that Tehran has launched at least 17 plots, including abductions and murders, against UK targets since the start of last year. So, what is it like to be one of these targets?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. 

Guest: Dipesh Gadher, Home Affairs Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones. 

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Forbes, Parliament TV, 60 Minutes, Guardian News, Kayhan Life, Sky News, ABC News, BBC News.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


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Transcript

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0:00.0

Just imagine what your best Christmas ever would sound like.

0:03.4

Thank you for calling National Lottery. I can see you calling about a winner today, is that correct?

0:07.4

Yeah, I think I have. I'd just take to double check before I do a cartwheel.

0:11.1

Yeah, I can confirm that you have won the top prize 1.2 million oh my

0:15.5

what happy Christmas why do now you have the best Christmas ever this Christmas it could be you. The National Lottery. Rules and procedures apply. Players must be

0:28.3

18 or over.

0:29.3

Attention all passengers. You can now book your train tickets on Uber and get 10% back in Uber credits to spend on your next train journey.

0:41.0

So no excuses not to visit your in-laws this Christmas.

0:46.5

Trains now on Uber. Tees and sees apply check the Uber app. Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism. There is no more nefarious exporter of international terrorism than Iran.

1:07.0

Let me be clear, this is a persistent threat.

1:11.0

This is not carried out by rogue elements but is a conscious

1:14.8

strategy of the Iranian regime.

1:22.2

Iran can be ruthless within its own borders in the protests following the death of 22 old

1:27.8

Masher Minnie who was imprisoned and killed simply for violating their headscarf law, live rounds were used on those who took to the streets.

1:37.0

But as well as the crackdown at home, there's one exported abroad. For years, but particularly in the past too, the Islamic Republic has been launching a stealth war against enemies of the state.

1:55.0

The targeting of American citizens by a hostile foreign government is very close to an act of war.

2:10.0

The Sunday Times investigation has found that these plots have included kidnap and even murder with the Iranian regime pulling these violent strings from a safe distance.

2:15.0

This is what the Islamic Republic is really good at, like using drug dealers,

2:21.0

using criminals to do their dirty job.

2:25.0

You're listening to stories of our times,

2:30.0

from the Times and the Sunday Times.

2:32.0

I'm Luke Jones, today.

...

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