UK probes claims British scientists helped Iran with suicide drone programme

The UK government has launched an inquiry into allegations that scientists at British universities helped the Iranian regime to develop technologies that could be used to improve its programme to build suicide drones.

The investigation comes as Washington warned US businesses this month to ensure they are not unwittingly supplying electronics or other parts that could be used by Iran to make the drones.

Iran has sent hundreds of these kamikaze drones to Russia, which has used them to devastating effect to attack Ukrainian civilian and military targets, according to Kyiv and its western allies. Iran denies any involvement in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We take all allegations of breaches of export controls seriously . . . We will not accept collaborations which compromise our national security.”

The UK bans the export of military and “dual-use” technology to Iran and has imposed sanctions against Iranian individuals and organisations that supply Russia with kamikaze drones.

As Sunak spoke, London was hosting a Ukraine reconstruction conference, where officials and bankers were discussing how to raise the billions of dollars needed to rebuild the country following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The UK probe, led by the Department of Trade and Industry, will look into allegations that academics at several British universities have worked with Iranian counterparts on research that could increase the altitude, speed and range of drones.

A UK government spokesman said: “We are investigating the recent reports. In the meantime, we have made our systems more robust . . . to protect UK research from ever-changing global threats.”

The inquiry follows an investigation by the Jewish Chronicle, a London based newspaper, into academic collaboration with Iranian scientists.

It alleged researchers at several British universities were involved, including from Imperial College London and Cranfield University, a graduate institute that specialises in science and engineering and has a partnership with the UK’s Ministry of Defence.

One 2019 paper seen by the FT, supported by Iran’s Ministry of Science, examined the effects of different engine types on drone performance, and noted their potential military role. Another 2021 paper reviewed different control systems being developed for next generation aircraft engines.

Ken McCallum, head of MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, cautioned in a major speech last year of the dangers of academic penetration and industrial espionage, although his warning was largely directed towards the risks of working with China.

Behnam Ben Talebu, senior research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a US think-tank, said the US business warning and UK inquiry illustrated “Tehran’s capability and intent to exploit even the smallest gaps in industry and commerce . . . and the truly global scope of Iranian drone activities”.

Iran’s military exports to Russia rose to a notional value of $123mn last year, from zero in 2021, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Imperial College said: “We have comprehensive guidance for our academics to ensure that they are aware of and comply with the appropriate national security legislation and their responsibilities when working with international collaborators.”

Cranfield University said: “We review our security policies and processes on a continual basis to ensure that research activities fully comply with guidelines and legal obligations.”

Additional reporting by Najmeh Borzorgmehr