British foreign secretary warns Iran over threats

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Iran's foreign minister that the UK will not tolerate threats or hostile activity on British soil and urged Tehran to pursue diplomacy, officials said.

Officials said the warning was delivered directly to Iran's foreign minister, Araghchi; market reaction was pending.

Miliband warns Iran over threats

Officials said Miliband framed the message as a direct rebuke of what London describes as threats from Iran-linked groups and pressed Tehran to use diplomatic channels to reduce tensions. The exchange, they said, was intended to make clear that activity tied to those groups affecting UK territory would not be accepted.

If Tehran does not act to restrain proxies, the brief escalation could prompt London to consider a range of responses — from tighter maritime security to targeted measures against groups or networks — which would raise regional security risks and increase risk premia for shipping and energy insurers. If Tehran engages through talks, officials said, the warning may serve to lower the chance of near-term kinetic incidents.

Watch for a formal UK statement or a diplomatic reply from Tehran by September 28, 2026.