MI5 Chief: Russia and Iran Stepping Up Hybrid Campaigns in UK

Ken McCallum warned of hostile actions by Moscow and Tehran, noting Russian Brexit interference did not alter the vote's outcome.

The director-general of Britain's Security Service (MI5), Ken McCallum, warned that Russia and Iran are stepping up hybrid campaigns across the United Kingdom, The Jerusalem Post and Maariv reported. According to Maariv, McCallum cautioned that Tehran is expanding activities against military targets—amid a suspected plot targeting a base used by American bombers—as well as Jewish and Israeli targets in the country.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that McCallum confirmed Russia intervened in the Brexit referendum, though he stressed there is no evidence the effort swayed the result. According to The Jerusalem Post, the intelligence chief added that artificial intelligence is supercharging the cybersecurity contest between attackers and defenders, with terrorists exploiting the technology to improve reconnaissance and attack methods. Further details have not yet been released.