UK proscribes Iran's IRGC

The UK government has announced that it is using its new powers to proscribe Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Security minister Angela Eagle wrote in a written statement to parliament that the UK has "identified activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on UK soil", according to Sky News.

Another group called The Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), which is linked to Iran, is also being designated by the government following a spate of attacks on the Jewish community in Britain.

And the volunteer corps of Russia's GRU (foreign military intelligence agency) is also being designated under this legislation following "sabotage and other activity directed against the UK and Europe".

It means it is now a criminal offence to:

- Invite support for, or express an opinion or belief that is supportive of, these groups;

- Assist them in carrying out UK-related activities or engage in conduct likely to materially assist them;

- Accept or retain a material benefit provided by or on behalf of them.

The announcement comes after ministers fast-tracked the National Security (State Threats) Act, as promised by the prime minister in April.

Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation, concluded in his May 2025 report that "there are solid reasons for creating a classification power, equivalent to proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000, which is additional to existing measures such as sanctions".

The aim is to "disrupt individuals who promote the interests and objectives of designated bodies".

Stabil.Az