On July 13, 2026, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will be designated as a threat to national security. This new designation allows the UK government to ban support for the IRGC, which has been linked to death threats and attacks within the UK.
In a written statement to Parliament, Mahmood outlined the implications of this ban, stating that support for the IRGC, including expressing positive opinions or providing assistance, will now be a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Alongside the IRGC, two other groups — the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and the volunteer corps of Russia's GRU — are also being proscribed.
New Powers for Law Enforcement
The new legislation will empower police and intelligence agencies to combat espionage, foreign interference, sabotage, and physical attacks from these groups. The Home Secretary emphasized the need for these measures by highlighting the increasing scope and complexity of threats posed by state-backed aggression.
In recent months, the IRGC has been identified as responsible for at least seven attacks on UK locations linked to Jewish and Israeli communities. One notable incident was the antisemitic arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on March 23, which the IMCR claimed responsibility for.
Government's Commitment to National Security
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to fast-track the National Security (State Threats) Act, enabling quicker prosecution of individuals linked to these groups. Starmer remarked, “We will never let Britain be a playground for states who want to spread fear, division and violence on our streets.”
