WANA (Sep 21) – Britain’s foreign intelligence chief, Richard Moore, has identified Iran, Russia, and China as the primary threats facing MI6, while stressing the need to confront Iran’s nuclear program and alleged support by Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing for Russia in the war in Ukraine.

 

Speaking at the British Consulate in Istanbul, Moore reiterated London’s hardline stance and outlined the strategic priorities of the agency. His remarks come as the UK recently intensified pressure on Iran by reactivating the so-called “snapback mechanism” under the 2015 nuclear deal framework.

 

Moore, who has led MI6 since 2020 and is set to step down on October 01, to be succeeded by Blaise Metroely, also addressed the Ukraine conflict.

 

“History shows you should never underestimate a people fighting for their independence and survival. Powers far greater than Russia have failed to subjugate nations far smaller than Ukraine,” he said.

 

Warning Western governments, Moore added: “If we remain steady, President Vladimir Putin will eventually have to choose between the risk of a political and economic crisis threatening his regime or agreeing to a reasonable settlement.”

 

Moore went on to accuse Iran and China of supporting Russia’s war effort—allegations repeatedly rejected by both Tehran and Beijing as baseless.

 

“Without external backing, Putin would have faced this dilemma much sooner,” Moore claimed. “Iranian drones, North Korean forces and equipment, and China’s ongoing support—whether diplomatically or through dual-use goods such as chemicals and electronic components for missiles—have all enabled Russia to sustain the war.”

 

He underlined that confronting Iran, China, and Russia remains a top priority for MI6, alongside counterterrorism.

 

On Iran’s nuclear program, Moore reiterated Western concerns: “Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a core priority. I hope the Iranian government realizes that a secure and prosperous future lies in engagement and compromise—not in pursuing policies that destabilize the region and set Iran against much of the world.”

MI6. Iran

MI6. Social media/ WANA News Agency