UK to list Iran’s IRGC as ‘terror’ threat | US-Israel war on Iran News
UK Government Seeks New Authority to Target State Proxies Amid Anti-Semitic Attacks
LONDON—The British government has announced its intention to employ newly granted powers that would enable it to criminalize state proxies, specifically targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This decision follows a series of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK.
In a statement released on Monday, officials confirmed the submission of draft regulations to Parliament aimed at banning support for the IRGC. This move is intended to counteract what the government describes as foreign state-backed activities, including espionage and interference in domestic affairs.
Upon designation as a threat to national security, it will become illegal to invite or express support for the IRGC, assist in their activities within the UK, or accept material benefits associated with the group. The regulations also encompass other organizations, notably the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), which has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Jewish sites earlier this year. Additionally, Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps has been included among the initial entities designated under these new authorities.
British law enforcement is currently investigating multiple attacks on Jewish-related sites in London, such as the arson of four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community charity in March. Three individuals were charged with arson following the incident.
“If approved by Parliament later this week, individuals engaging in sabotage, including arson, on behalf of these organizations could face life imprisonment,” the government statement added.
Caretaker Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the new powers will facilitate prosecutions and enhance the government’s ability to address these threats domestically.
“This legislation equips us with the tools needed to deal effectively with foreign state proxies operating in the UK,” he stated.
In a related context, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reinforced that Iran and Russia are leveraging proxies to conduct hostile operations on British soil.
The proposed legislation also removes the burden on prosecutors to establish a direct link to foreign powers in cases involving designated groups.
Officials expect that the designation could be enacted as soon as Friday, potentially escalating diplomatic tensions between the UK and Iran. Earlier, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper summoned the Iranian ambassador in light of the recent developments.
The UK government has characterized the IRGC as having a long history of employing proxies to target communities overseas, particularly Jews and Iranian dissidents. Conversely, Tehran has denied accusations of using proxies for malign purposes.
The government has described the GRU Volunteer Corps as instrumental in Russia’s foreign intelligence collection and covert operations, asserting that it has a history of targeting the UK and its allies.
