Sir Keir Starmer has proscribed Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, giving British authorities sweeping new powers to target members and supporters of the group.
The Prime Minister announced the move under the new National Security Act, declaring the IRGC a threat to UK national security.
The emergency legislation, which still requires Parliament’s approval, means those who support or assist the organisation could face severe penalties, including potential life imprisonment.
Security minister Dame Angela Eagle said Britain had identified “activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on UK soil”.
The crackdown will also see the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) banned following a series of attacks targeting British Jewish communities.
A volunteer corps linked to Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, will also be proscribed over allegations of sabotage and hostile activity directed against Britain and Europe.
Under the new rules, it will become illegal to:
- Invite support for the organisations
- Express support or sympathy for them
- Assist their UK-related activities
- Accept financial or material benefits linked to the groups
Dame Angela said the IRGC was not simply a military organisation but a key part of Iran’s wider security apparatus.
In a written statement, she said: “The IRGC is a central component of the Iranian state’s security apparatus, answerable directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader.”
She added that its role extended into intelligence operations, proxy groups and attempts to project Iranian influence overseas.
Under the legislation, the Home Secretary must have reasonable grounds to believe an organisation has been involved in foreign power threat activity before designating it.
The Home Secretary must also consider the move necessary to protect the UK’s safety.
The decision places the IRGC among the most heavily sanctioned organisations under British law and marks one of the government’s strongest responses to concerns over foreign state-linked activity inside Britain.
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