The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been officially proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK government, following years of assassination plots, kidnap conspiracies, and arson attacks on British soil. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the designation, blaming Tehran for a series of attacks targeting British Jews.
New Powers to Combat IRGC Activities
The proscription gives counter-terrorism police and MI5 enhanced powers to arrest IRGC operatives in the UK, freeze their assets, and allow the Home Secretary to cancel visas of foreign nationals linked to the group. Social media companies will be compelled to remove IRGC propaganda. The Home Office confirmed that petty criminals will be arrested if they receive payment from a designated organisation.
Government Labels IRGC a State-Based Threat
The government has labelled the IRGC a "state-based threat," a significant escalation in rhetoric. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper summoned Seyed Ali Mousavi, the Iranian ambassador, to inform him of the ban. The move follows a spate of arson attacks, kidnap conspiracies, and assassination attempts linked to the IRGC.
Crackdown on Supporters and Collaborators
Individuals who express support for the IRGC, similar to those who back ISIS or Al Qaeda, will be subject to arrest. The Home Office believes that threatening criminals with up to 14 years in prison if they work for a foreign intelligence agency will deter future collaboration. Penalties will be harsher than for the same acts committed without foreign direction.
Security Chiefs Warn of Plausible Deniability
Security chiefs believe enemy intelligence agencies are offering criminals money to provide "plausible" deniability, making it harder to trace attacks back to state sponsors. The proscription aims to disrupt this network and protect UK national security.
