Iran has condemned the United Kingdom’s plan to criminalise support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), describing the move as “unjustified, irresponsible and contrary to international law.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued on Tuesday, criticised the proposed legislation, which seeks to designate the IRGC as a national security threat and impose severe penalties on individuals who provide support or assistance to the group.
“The hostile act of the British government… is unjustified, irresponsible and contrary to the fundamental principles and rules of international law,” the ministry said.
The proposed legislation, which is expected to be presented to the UK Parliament this week, will grant the government “proscription-like” powers to target foreign state-backed organisations considered threats to national security.
The measures will also cover the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), an Iran-linked group accused of attacks against Jewish properties in London, as well as volunteers linked to Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency.
According to the UK Home Office, the new powers are aimed at strengthening efforts against foreign-backed threats, including espionage, interference in democratic processes, sabotage and physical attacks.
“The move will step up the government’s ability to counter state threats linked to foreign powers including espionage, foreign interference in our democracy, sabotage and physical attacks,” the Home Office said.
The announcement comes amid heightened security concerns in Britain following a series of antisemitic attacks in London, including arson incidents targeting synagogues, community ambulances and other Jewish facilities.
The planned ban also follows the conviction of two Romanian nationals earlier this month for the 2024 knife attack on Pouria Zeraati, a presenter with Persian-language broadcaster Iran International.
A London court ruled that the attack was carried out at Iran’s behest, prompting Tehran to summon the British ambassador and reject what it described as “baseless accusations.”
The UK government said the IRGC had been linked to seven attacks targeting locations associated with Jewish and Israeli communities across the country.
Authorities also disclosed that MI5 had identified at least 20 potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots against individuals in Britain over the past year.
Speaking on the new measures, Prime Minister Starmer said the government would not tolerate attempts by foreign states to undermine Britain’s security.
“Anyone found supporting or assisting these groups will now face up to 14 years in prison,” he said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the move was part of wider efforts to confront hostile foreign actors and protect national security.
If approved by Parliament, the legislation will allow prosecutors to seek tougher penalties, including life imprisonment for acts of sabotage such as arson carried out on behalf of designated organisations.
Established after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, the IRGC is a powerful arm of the Iranian state that reports directly to the country’s Supreme Leader. The organisation oversees military operations, intelligence activities and support for Iran-aligned groups abroad.
The force, estimated to have about 190,000 active personnel, has been accused by Western governments of supporting terrorism and destabilising activities outside Iran.
The IRGC has already been designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States, Canada and Australia, while the European Union placed it on its terror list earlier this year.
