UK bans support for Iran’s IRGC and a linked group over antisemitic attacks in Britain
The ban, announced by the PM, follows attacks on Jewish-linked sites in London, including the torching of 4 Jewish community ambulances
Britain banned support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a linked group on Monday following a series of antisemitic attacks, using new powers designed to stop the use of state-sponsored proxies.
The government and intelligence agencies have become increasingly concerned about foreign powers paying organised crime groups or low-level criminals for surveillance, sabotage or other activities on their behalf.
The ban follows attacks on Jewish-linked sites in London, including the torching of four Jewish community ambulances.
“These new powers will make it easier to prosecute and lock up anyone carrying out their dirty work here in Britain,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.
Britain said it had identified activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on British soil, and that the group used proxy actors to advance Iranian state objectives overseas.
The government said the IRGC had “almost certainly” directed another group, The Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, which Britain said had claimed seven attacks at locations in Britain linked to Jewish and Israeli communities, and Persian-language media.