On Monday, the UK government took the unprecedented step of banning support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — a powerful military force that has been accused of orchestrating death threats, arson attacks and at least 20 potentially lethal plots on British soil in the past year alone.
The ban means it is now a criminal offence to express support for the IRGC, assist them, or even express a positive opinion about them. Anyone found guilty faces up to 14 years in prison. The move comes under the new National Security Act, which gives police and intelligence agencies extra powers to tackle espionage, foreign interference, sabotage and physical attacks. The IRGC is being designated as a threat to national security, a step that officials say comes close to proscribing it as a terrorist organisation. Two other groups have also been proscribed: the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), which claimed responsibility for an antisemitic arson attack on ambulances in Golders Green in March, and the volunteer corps of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.
“An explainer on the UK's decision to ban support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and what it means.”
The IRGC was established after Iran's 1979 revolution to defend the country's new Islamic system. It has since evolved into a powerful arm of the state with an estimated 190,000 active personnel and a reach that extends far beyond Iran's borders. Western nations, including Australia and Canada, have long accused it of sponsoring terrorism abroad. In the UK, MI5 identified at least 20 potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots in the last year, with the IRGC at the centre of many of them. The group particularly targets the Jewish community and Iranian dissidents, and is believed to have directed seven attacks on UK locations linked to Jewish and Israeli communities. Previous governments had debated proscribing the IRGC but held back, partly because of fears that a full terrorist listing would lead to the expulsion of the UK ambassador from Tehran and sever crucial diplomatic channels. Last year, ministers chose instead to impose additional sanctions. But the recent escalation of threats — including plots to assassinate two Iran International journalists in the UK — forced the government to act.
For UK readers, the ban means that anyone found promoting or assisting the IRGC on British soil can now be swiftly prosecuted. Crucially, prosecutors no longer need to prove a direct link to a foreign power in every case, making it easier to build a case. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said that Iran and Russia were “using proxies and thugs to do their dirty work on our shores” and that those working for them would be “tracked down and put behind bars”. Prime Minister Keir Starmer added: “We will never let Britain be a playground for states who want to spread fear, division and violence on our streets.” The move also sends a clear signal that the UK is willing to confront state‑sponsored hostility, even at the risk of worsening diplomatic relations with Tehran.
Q: What exactly is the IRGC? The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a branch of Iran's military, created after the 1979 revolution to protect the country's Islamic system. It has around 190,000 active personnel and operates widely abroad, often accused by Western nations of sponsoring terrorism and targeting dissidents and Jewish communities overseas.
Q: Why wasn't the IRGC banned before? Governments had debated proscribing the IRGC for years but held off due to diplomatic concerns. A full terrorist designation risked the expulsion of the UK ambassador from Iran, cutting off an important communication channel. Instead, the UK previously used sanctions. The recent surge in lethal threats on British soil prompted the change.
Q: What does the ban mean for someone who expresses support for the IRGC? It becomes a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. This includes expressing a positive opinion about the group, assisting them, or carrying out acts of sabotage like arson on their behalf. The law now applies even without proving a direct foreign connection, making prosecutions easier.
What happens next? The draft regulations for the proscription are being laid before Parliament and are expected to be approved later this week. If passed, those committing acts of sabotage for these groups could face life imprisonment. The Home Office has also given new powers to police and intelligence agencies to investigate and disrupt any further plots. The long‑term impact on UK‑Iran relations remains uncertain, but the government has made clear it will prioritise national security over diplomatic comfort.
