UK to introduce law targeting IRGC as terror group

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to introduce legislation within weeks to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, responding to long-standing demands from Jewish groups and other critics of Iran’s clerical leadership.

Starmer announced the plan in an interview with the Jewish Chronicle at Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London, which was targeted last Saturday in a firebomb attack claimed by a group linked to Iran.

The proposed designation would expand the scope of criminal charges available to UK police when investigating suspected Iran-linked offences.

The UK government is expected to outline the initiative in May’s King's Speech, where it will promise legislation enabling “proscription-like” measures against entities connected to foreign states. The IRGC, a powerful arm of Iran’s state structure, is expected to be the first organisation targeted under this framework.

According to the Jewish Chronicle, Starmer said he was “very worried” about the growing use of proxy groups by Iran and confirmed that legislation enabling proscription would be introduced “in a few weeks.”

“In relation to malign state actors more generally, proscription, we do need legislation in order to take necessary measures, and that is legislation that we’re bringing forward as soon as we can,” Starmer said.

The prime minister’s announcement follows a decision in February by the European Union to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. The group has frequently been accused of directing or supporting the activities of Iranian operatives abroad, including operations that have involved violence.

A previously unknown group, Ashab al-Yamin, which operates through Iranian propaganda channels, has claimed responsibility for a series of arson attacks, attempted arsons, and other incidents targeting buildings across Europe.

Most of these attacks have focused on Jewish community institutions, although some financial sector organisations and Iran International TV—an opposition-aligned Persian-language television station based in London—have also been affected.

Last year, the Labour government ordered a review of the UK’s counterterrorism legislative framework to assess how existing laws could be adapted to address threats posed by states. Iran was explicitly identified as a likely focus of these measures.

UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis subsequently placed the IRGC on the enhanced tier of the newly established foreign influence registration scheme. This requires individuals associated with listed organisations to register their activities in the UK or face automatic imprisonment.

However, officials have privately warned that formally proscribing the IRGC could trigger retaliatory steps by Tehran, including the possible closure of the UK embassy in Tehran, which serves as a key source of intelligence for Western governments.

Some British officials have also raised concerns about designating an organisation that oversees Iran’s nuclear materials, noting that such a move could complicate future engagement or support in the event of political change in Iran.

A similar challenge arose in Syria, where proscription of groups linked to Ahmed al-Sharaa initially hindered security and other forms of cooperation following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

By Tamilla Hasanova