U.K. Designates Iran's IRGC as National Security Threat
The U.K. government has announced its intention to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat, a move that follows a troubling increase in antisemitic attacks within the country. This announcement was made by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a reception with the Jewish community at 10 Downing Street on July 13, 2026. The designation is part of a broader strategy to combat state threats and will be subject to parliamentary approval later this week.
If the new powers are enacted, individuals supporting the IRGC, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), or Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps could face up to 14 years in prison. Additionally, those involved in sabotage on behalf of these groups could be sentenced to life imprisonment, according to the Home Office. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated, "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. I will leave no stone unturned to keep our country safe."
Starmer echoed this sentiment, asserting that the U.K. government has already taken significant actions against the Iranian regime and that the new powers would facilitate the prosecution of individuals engaged in harmful activities in Britain. He noted that the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to both dissidents and the Jewish community, citing over 20 potentially lethal attacks supported by Iran on U.K. soil in the past year alone.
In March, four men were arrested for allegedly surveilling locations associated with the Jewish community in London to assist Iran. Two of these individuals were charged with aiding a foreign intelligence service. The gravity of the threat was further underscored by an antisemitic attack in Golders Green, where two Jewish men were hospitalized due to stab wounds.
The new measures are part of a larger government initiative to enhance protections for Jewish communities, which includes a financial commitment of over £250 million (approximately $333 million) over the next three years. This funding aims to bolster security in light of recent attacks and the national terror threat level being raised from substantial to severe.
Calls for the IRGC to be designated a terrorist organization have been ongoing among British lawmakers, with a cross-party motion introduced in the House of Commons earlier this year advocating for immediate proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000. The announcement of these new measures has been positively received by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, described the designation as essential for regional and global stability.
This development coincides with renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The U.K. has joined other European nations in advocating for the free passage of vessels through this critical waterway, while U.S. officials have announced plans to reinstate a naval blockade against Iran, imposing charges on cargo to ensure safety in the region.
