By Kimberly White l Published: July 13, 2026 l Time: 7:45 PM BST (18:45 UTC)
LONDON, United Kingdom — The United Kingdom has officially designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and banned another Iran-linked group, marking one of the country's strongest actions yet against Tehran over alleged state-backed activities on British soil.
The announcement came on Monday after the British government concluded that the IRGC had been linked to a series of antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish communities across the United Kingdom. The decision is expected to significantly expand the powers of police and intelligence agencies to investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals suspected of supporting the organization.
According to the UK government, the designation follows months of investigations into attacks that included arson, vandalism, surveillance operations, and intimidation campaigns directed at Jewish community facilities and Israeli-linked organizations throughout Britain. Authorities alleged that many of these activities were carried out through proxy organizations acting on behalf of Iran.
Alongside the IRGC, Britain also designated the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), a group officials say was responsible for several recent attacks, including the burning of Jewish community ambulances in London. British authorities believe the organization operated with support and direction from Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government would not tolerate foreign states using proxy organizations to threaten Britain's national security or intimidate communities living in the country.
Government officials said the new legal powers are designed to close existing gaps in British counterterrorism legislation by allowing authorities to prosecute individuals working on behalf of hostile foreign governments in much the same way as those supporting terrorist organizations. Under the new framework, activities such as sabotage, espionage, and providing material support could carry penalties including life imprisonment once the legislation receives parliamentary approval.
The measures also target Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps, which British officials accuse of carrying out covert operations intended to undermine European and NATO security. Authorities described both the Iranian and Russian organizations as examples of foreign states increasingly relying on proxy groups to conduct deniable operations abroad.
Security officials have repeatedly warned of growing Iranian intelligence activities inside the United Kingdom. Britain's domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has previously disclosed that it disrupted numerous Iran-linked plots over recent years, many involving surveillance of dissidents, journalists, and Jewish institutions.
The latest designation represents a major shift in Britain's policy toward Iran. While London has imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and organizations in the past, formally banning the IRGC places it among organizations whose support, recruitment, financing, or promotion can result in serious criminal charges under British law.
Iran had not immediately issued an official response to the British government's decision at the time of publication.
Security analysts say the move is likely to further strain already fragile diplomatic relations between London and Tehran, particularly as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East amid ongoing regional conflicts and concerns over Iran's military activities.
The legislation is expected to move through Parliament in the coming days, after which Britain's police and intelligence services will gain expanded authority to enforce the new measures against individuals or groups found supporting the banned organizations.