Britain’s outgoing MI6 chief warns of threats from Russia, China and Iran

In Istanbul on Friday, Britain's outgoing foreign intelligence chief Richard Moore outlined the West's top threats as he prepares to leave MI6 later this month after five years in the job. Moore devoted much of his address to the war in Ukraine but emphasized that Russia, China, Iran and Islamist terrorism remain the agency's priorities.

On China, he said the United Kingdom seeks a respectful and constructive relationship, but Beijing must operate within the established rules of engagement and non-interference. He described China as sitting at a dichotomy of opportunity and threat for the West and noted that British officials have previously accused Chinese spies of targeting officials in politics, defense and business.

Moore said Iran, North Korea and China have backed Russia's war machine, noting that Chinese diplomatic backing as well as the provision of dual-use electronic components and chemicals had prevented Putin from reaching the conclusion that peace is his best option. A nuclear-free Iran remains a priority, Moore said, warning Tehran against blindfully pursuing a strategy that destabilizes their neighborhood and puts them at odds with much of the rest of the world. The West and Israel have long accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies. Tensions spiked during a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Following the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 from the international agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program, Tehran gradually broke away from its commitments and began stepping up its nuclear activities. The war also derailed Tehran’s nuclear negotiations with the United States and prompted Iran to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Popular Reads A reset in the region required a "change of mentality in Tehran, not yet detected in our intelligence,” Moore said. Such a reset also required peace in Gaza, he said, calling for an end to “further appalling suffering of innocent Palestinians.”

Turning to the Islamic State group and al-Qaida, Moore said they had been damaged but were looking to reestablish themselves while using technology to “spread their violent ideologies online.” “Good partnerships” and leaders who address the root causes of radicalization are necessary to defeat efforts to terrorize, he added.

Moore is to be replaced as “C,” as the head of MI6 is known, by Blaise Metreweli, who will be the service’s first female chief. Moore praised her experience, especially as the agency’s “Q,” a position in which she has led technological innovations in espionage. Referring to the green ink traditionally used by MI6 chiefs, Moore said he was “now hanging up my cloak, returning my imaginary dagger to its scabbard and handing over my famous green pen.”

Moore's departure will mark a transition in London's intelligence community as it navigates a shifting geopolitical landscape.