Key facts
- Britain has proscribed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
- Support for the IRGC is now a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
- The IRGC is the first state agency to be classified as a terrorist organization by the UK.
- The decision was made due to intelligence indicating threats to life and intimidation on UK soil.
- The National Security (State Threats) bill is being used for the designation.
Britain has designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a threat to national security under the National Security (State Threats) bill. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is using the new legislation to ban support for the IRGC, making it a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The UK accuses the IRGC of death threats and intimidation on British soil. Home Office minister Angela Eagle stated that the IRGC's role extends beyond conventional military force, encompassing intelligence activity, the use of proxy actors, and influence projection. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the new powers to prosecute individuals carrying out "dirty work" in Britain. The legislation also targets Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (Hayi) and the volunteer wing of Russia's GRU. Independent reviewers have warned that the bill's vague wording could risk criminalizing journalists and NGO workers.