The UK government on Monday announced plans to ban Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under new national security legislation aimed at tackling foreign state-backed threats, with anyone found supporting or assisting designated groups facing up to 14 years in prison.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the proposed law, which is set to be introduced in Parliament this week, will give authorities powers to target organisations linked to hostile foreign states.
"Anyone found supporting or assisting these groups will now face up to 14 years in prison," Starmer said.
IRGC among three groups designated
Alongside the IRGC, the legislation will designate proxies and volunteers of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, as well as the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), an Iran-linked group accused of carrying out a series of attacks against Jewish properties in London.
The IMCR, also known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyah (HAYI), has claimed responsibility for multiple incidents, including an arson attack that destroyed four ambulances belonging to the Hatzola Jewish charity.
New powers to tackle foreign threats
The Home Office said the legislation would provide the government with "proscription-like" powers to designate foreign state proxies considered a threat to Britain's national security.
"The move will step up the government's ability to counter state threats linked to foreign powers including espionage, foreign interference in our democracy, sabotage and physical attacks," the Home Office said in a statement.
The new framework will also make it easier to prosecute members or supporters of designated groups, as prosecutors will no longer need to prove a direct connection to a foreign state in such cases.
Home Office minister Angela Eagle said the UK had identified IRGC-linked activity involving threats and intimidation within Britain.
"The United Kingdom has identified activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on UK soil," Eagle said in a written statement.
Response to antisemitic attacks
The announcement follows a series of antisemitic attacks in London earlier this year, including arson attacks targeting synagogues, community ambulances and other Jewish sites.
According to the Home Office, the government accelerated the legislation in response to the violence.
"The government fast-tracked legislation to bring in new powers after the abhorrent antisemitic attacks in north London," the department said.
International pressure on Iran
Last month, 22 countries—including the UK, the United States and several European nations—jointly accused the IRGC and its overseas operations arm, the Quds Force, of orchestrating plots targeting Iranian dissidents, journalists and Jewish communities.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the UK would take a tougher approach against foreign states using proxy organisations to conduct hostile activities on British soil.
"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," Mahmood said.
