The UK government has taken a landmark decision in the face of escalating tensions with Iran by officially designating its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. This move comes amid growing concern over national security, as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the IRGC would be classified as a threat to the country's safety and stability.
The proscription of the IRGC will grant UK authorities significant new powers, making it an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison for anyone found guilty of supporting or expressing solidarity with the organisation. The decision reflects the government's determination to counter what it sees as foreign state threats operating on British soil, building on a long-standing pledge to crack down on such activities.
The move follows a series of high-profile incidents linked to the IRGC's presence in the UK, including reports of death threats and intimidation tactics used against individuals opposed to its influence. According to Home Office minister Angela Eagle, the IRGC is an integral part of Iran's security apparatus, with close ties to the country's Supreme Leader and involvement in a range of activities, from intelligence gathering to proxy warfare.
The designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation forms part of a wider crackdown on foreign state threats. Two other entities – the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and the volunteer corps associated with Russia's GRU – have also been proscribed, reflecting concerns over their involvement in activities that pose a threat to UK national security.
This development is seen as a significant step in bolstering the UK's defences against foreign state actors, building on the National Security (State Threats) Act passed earlier this year. The new powers aim to equip law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to disrupt and prosecute individuals who support proscribed organisations, safeguarding the nation from external threats and interference.