Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP Joins UANI Advisory Board to Strengthen Transatlantic Fight Against Growing Threat From Iranian Regime

(New York, NY) – United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is delighted to announce that the Rt. Hon. Tom Tugendhat MP has joined UANI’s Advisory Board as a Senior Advisor. Throughout his distinguished career – not least as U.K. Minister of State for Security and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the UK Parliament – Tom has been on the frontlines of countering the threat from and nefarious activities of the Iranian regime, including its nuclear ambitions, conflict with Israel, terrorist activities, corruption, and human rights abuses. He has also been resolute in his support for the courageous Iranian people in their fight to bring freedom and democracy to Iran.

UANI Chairman Governor Jeb Bush said, “I welcome my friend Tom Tugendhat to UANI. Tom has been a thought leader on Iran policy for years. The regime’s threat to the United Kingdom is real, and Tom has been an effective advocate for bolstering U.K. policy to tackle this challenge. UANI recognizes that a strong U.S. Iran policy depends on collaborating with our close ally, the United Kingdom, to address these threats, and there is no better person than Tom to help us advance these shared interests.” 

UANI CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace said: “Iran’s escalating nuclear ambitions, support for terrorism, and destabilizing actions across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond pose a direct threat—not just to Israel, as we are currently witnessing, but also to both the U.S. and U.K. Tom has been a resolute defender of Anglo-American security and led global efforts to counter the Iranian regime’s nefarious activities abroad and brutality against its own people. His experience and leadership will be invaluable in strengthening UANI’s mission. Transatlantic cooperation is vital in confronting the threat emanating from Iran’s regime, and I am truly delighted and honoured to welcome Tom to our Advisory Board.”

The Rt. Hon. Tom Tugendhat MP said: “I am honoured to join UANI’s board at this critical moment, as direct conflict rages between the Islamic Republic and Israel, and work with Governor Bush and Ambassador Wallace, who have spearheaded efforts to stand by the Iranian people against the totalitarian regime in Tehran. As Britan’s Security Minister under the last government, I saw firsthand the threat posed to the UK, US and our allies by the Iranian regime. I worked closely with security, intelligence, and military agencies to devise strategies to counter and foil the harmful activities of the Islamic Republic, not least the IRGC. Now, more than ever, it is vital to stand against Khamenei’s tyrannical regime and support the courageous Iranian people in their fight for freedom in Iran. I look forward to working with UANI to do exactly that.”

Biography of Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MBE VR MP:

Tom Tugendhat has served the United Kingdom for over 25 years - in the Army, in Parliament, and in Government. He fought in Iraq in 2003 and in Afghanistan from 2005. In 2015, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Tonbridge, and two years later, he was elected Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. He was appointed Minister of State for Security in 2022 until 2024.

Throughout his career, Tom has focused on combating Islamist radicalisation, Iranian state-sponsored violence, and hostile activities from Russia and China within the UK. He has worked to protect Britain’s security, and was among the first to highlight foreign corrupt practices as a threat to national security, and to warn of the malign influence of authoritarian regimes.

As Security Minister, Tom led the passage of the National Security Act 2023, which modernised government powers for the first time in a generation. He also spearheaded efforts to combat online child exploitation, fraud, and cybercrime in collaboration with international partners. During his tenure, more spies were arrested than in the previous decade. As a result of his work, Tom has been sanctioned by Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran.

Before entering Parliament, Tom served as an intelligence officer and worked with the Foreign Office. He helped establish the National Security Council of Afghanistan and supported the formation of the government in Helmand Province. His final role in uniform was as Military Assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the UK Armed Forces. He has also had successful ventures as a journalist in the Middle East and an angel investor.

Tom is a public speaker and writer who has advised on geopolitics and threats around the world. Tom studied Theology at the University of Bristol, followed by a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies at Cambridge University, including Arabic studies in Yemen.