Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been labelled a threat to national security, with those carrying out acts of sabotage on their behalf facing life imprisonment, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The move is designed to tackle Iranian-backed groups recruiting criminals for acts targeting the Jewish community.
The Government is laying draft regulations before Parliament to designate (as a threat to national security) the IRGC along with two other groups – the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Volunteer Corps.
It comes after a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London earlier this year, as well as a double stabbing in Golders Green.
Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right is a new terrorism group with suspected links to pro-Iranian networks, according to Israel’s ministry for diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism.
It has claimed responsibility for a number of recent attacks, including the torching of Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green earlier this year.
Under new state threat powers, anyone supporting or assisting the groups will face a maximum punishment of 14 years in prison, but ministers will need parliamentary approval first.
Speaking to members of the Jewish community in the garden of Downing Street, Sir Keir said the IRGC has a “long history of using proxies and criminal networks to target people in the UK”.
The Prime Minister, whose No 10 guests included Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said: “A criminal group called the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right have publicly claimed seven attacks at UK locations linked to Jewish and Israeli communities, and sitting behind them were members of Iran’s IRGC.
“Of course, the IRGC itself has a long history of using proxies and criminal networks to target people in the UK, including our Jewish communities.
“So today, under our new state threat powers, we’re designating this criminal group, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, and we’re designating the IRGC.”
Sir Keir’s announcement was met with a round of applause.
The Government has already announced that more than £250 million is to be invested into increasing policing in Jewish communities.
The increased funding will see a surge in police presence, patrols, and protecting security outside synagogues and schools, as well as specialist plain-clothes officers in Jewish communities.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “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.”
Lord Walney, a former government independent adviser on political violence and disruption, welcomed the move, but said it did not amount to “full proscription”.
He said: “After years of campaigning, it is very welcome to see the IRGC finally banned. This group has exported terror and extremism onto British streets on behalf of the Iranian regime for too long.
“This designation falls short of full proscription under the Terrorism Act, so the incoming prime minister must monitor carefully whether these laws are adequate to keep our streets safe.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had summoned the Iranian ambassador to discuss the country’s “hostile activities” in the UK.
“We will not tolerate threats to our security or to the safety of those who live here,” she said in a written statement.
“Iran’s actions are irresponsible and unacceptable.”
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