Britain will designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, banning support for the group and making membership an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the proscription on Sunday alongside bans on the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right and the volunteer corps of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.
The decision follows what officials describe as a pattern of threats to life and intimidation on UK soil, including a plot to assassinate two Iran International journalists and seven attacks on locations linked to Jewish and Israeli communities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised the move after arson attacks on Jewish sites in London and a double stabbing in Golders Green earlier this year.
Those carrying out sabotage on behalf of the IRGC face life imprisonment. The government has separately announced more than £250 million for increased policing in Jewish communities.