Starmer Designates Iran’s Military as Terror Group After UK Threats
Britain has designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, threatening members with life imprisonment for direct threats to British citizens on domestic soil.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the proscription of the IRGC following what officials described as direct threats to British citizens on domestic soil, according to Susanna Siddell writing in GB News.
The designation comes after sustained pressure on Westminster to follow other Western nations in outlawing the paramilitary force. The United States, Canada, Australia and the European Union had already banned the organisation while Britain delayed action.
Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle confirmed that authorities had identified IRGC-linked activities involving threats to life and intimidation campaigns conducted within British territory. The Labour government invoked powers under the National Security Act to formalise the ban.
Alongside the IRGC, two additional groups will face proscription under the same legislative framework. The Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, another Iranian-linked organisation, will be outlawed following a series of attacks targeting Jewish communities across the United Kingdom.
Russia’s GRU volunteer corps will also be designated as a terrorist entity due to sabotage operations and other hostile activities directed against Britain and European allies. The GRU functions as Russia’s foreign military intelligence service.
The new restrictions will criminalise a broad range of support for the designated organisations. It will become illegal to publicly express support for these groups, invite others to support them, or hold opinions deemed supportive of their activities.
The legislation further prohibits providing material assistance to the organisations in conducting UK-related operations, engaging in conduct that could materially benefit them, or accepting resources provided by or on behalf of these entities.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood holds authority under the framework to designate groups when she has reasonable grounds to believe they pose a national security threat. Dame Angela Eagle issued the formal statement on Mahmood’s behalf.
The emergency measures now await final parliamentary approval before taking full legal effect, with violators potentially facing maximum life sentences under British counterterrorism laws.
With information from GB News
