The United Kingdom has announced plans to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as part of efforts to strengthen national security and tackle foreign-backed threats.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that legislation to be presented before Parliament this week would criminalise support for the IRGC and other designated groups, with offenders facing up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
The proposed law will also ban the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, an Iran-linked group accused of carrying out attacks on Jewish properties in London, as well as proxies and volunteers linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU.
According to the UK Home Office, the legislation would give the government “proscription-like” powers to designate foreign state-backed proxy organisations as threats to Britain’s national security.
The government said the measure would strengthen its ability to counter espionage, foreign interference, sabotage and physical attacks linked to hostile states.
Home Office Minister Angela Eagle said the UK had identified activities linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on British soil.
The move follows a series of antisemitic attacks in London earlier this year, including arson attacks targeting synagogues, community ambulances and other Jewish facilities.
Last month, the UK, United States and 20 other countries accused the IRGC and its Quds Force of plotting attacks against Iranian dissidents, journalists and Jewish communities abroad.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Iran and Russia were increasingly relying on proxy groups to carry out hostile operations in Britain.
“Iran and Russia are using proxies and thugs to do their dirty work on our shores. I have rapidly designated three groups so those working for them will be tracked down and put behind bars,” she said.
