The United Kingdom has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat, introducing sweeping new measures that criminalise support for the group with penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment.
The move, announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, forms part of the UK government’s broader efforts to tackle state-backed espionage, sabotage, foreign interference and violent attacks linked to hostile foreign actors.
Under the new powers, expressing support for the IRGC or providing assistance to the organisation will become a criminal offence. The government is also proscribing two other groups—the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and the volunteer corps of Russia’s GRU (foreign military intelligence agency).
If approved by Parliament later this week, the measures will also allow prosecutors to pursue tougher penalties, including life imprisonment for acts of sabotage such as arson carried out on behalf of the designated organisations.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government would not allow foreign states to undermine Britain’s security.
“We will never let Britain be a playground for states who want to spread fear, division and violence on our streets.
“We have already taken tough action against the Iranian regime and those linked to it, and against Russian operatives and networks targeting our country.
“These new powers will make it easier to prosecute and lock up anyone carrying out their dirty work here in Britain.”
The UK government said the legislation would simplify prosecutions by removing the requirement for prosecutors to prove a direct foreign power connection in every case.
Mahmood said Iran and Russia were increasingly relying on proxy groups to carry out hostile activities inside the UK.
“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.”
According to British authorities, the IRGC has been linked to seven attacks targeting locations associated with Jewish and Israeli communities across the UK.
The government also disclosed that MI5 identified at least 20 potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots against individuals in Britain over the past year.
Established following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, the IRGC serves as a powerful branch of the Iranian state and reports directly to the country’s Supreme Leader. Beyond its military functions, the organisation oversees intelligence operations, supports proxy groups and advances Iran’s strategic interests abroad. It is estimated to have about 190,000 active personnel.
Western governments have repeatedly accused the IRGC of sponsoring terrorism and destabilising activities outside Iran. The organisation has already been designated a terrorist organisation by the United States, Canada and Australia, while the European Union added it to its terror list earlier this year.
Home Office Minister Angela Eagle said the IRGC’s influence extends well beyond conventional military operations.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a central component of the Iranian state’s security apparatus, answerable directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader.
“Its role extends far beyond that of a conventional military force. It encompasses intelligence activity, the use of proxy actors, and the projection of influence designed to advance Iranian state objectives.”
The UK government said the latest measures were necessary to counter the growing threat posed by state-backed aggression, which it said has become increasingly sophisticated through the use of proxy groups and covert operations targeting lives and national security.
