The UK government has announced it will ban support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a step officials say comes close to proscribing the military group as a terrorist organisation.
Key facts
- The UK Home Office announced it will list Iran's IRGC as a terrorist organisation and ban support for the group.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the group would be designated under a new National Security Act.
- Officials say the move comes close to, but is not legally identical to, formal proscription.
- The designation enables law enforcement to act against anyone deemed to be providing support to the IRGC.
- The decision follows years of political division over the issue and marks an escalation of tensions with Tehran.
The UK will list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, ministers announced on Monday, in what the Guardian described as a major escalation of diplomatic tensions with Tehran. The Home Office said it would ban support for the IRGC, a central branch of the Iranian military, after years of political division over the issue.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the government would designate the organisation under a new National Security Act. According to the Guardian, officials said the move came close to proscribing the military group as a terrorist organisation, though it is not legally identical to formal proscription.
The designation is intended to enable law enforcement to take action against anyone deemed to be providing support to the IRGC. Al Jazeera reported that the UK government has designated the group as a terrorist organisation under new powers.
The IRGC is a central branch of Iran’s military. The decision to restrict support for it follows what the Guardian described as years of division within British politics over whether and how to act against the group.
The announcement represents a significant hardening of the UK’s stance toward Tehran. By using the National Security Act rather than existing proscription mechanisms, the government has chosen a route that officials characterise as close to, but distinct from, a full terrorist designation.
Why it matters
The move signals a marked toughening of the UK's approach to Iran and could further strain already tense relations between London and Tehran. By enabling legal action against anyone providing support to the IRGC, the designation carries practical consequences for individuals and organisations within Britain's jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IRGC?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a central branch of Iran's military, according to the sources reported here.
Is this the same as formally banning the IRGC as a terrorist group?
Officials say the move comes close to proscribing the group as a terrorist organisation but is not legally identical to formal proscription. The government is using a new National Security Act to make the designation.
What does the designation allow authorities to do?
According to the Guardian, the designation enables law enforcement to take action against anyone deemed to be providing support to the IRGC.