UK Moves to Ban Support for 3 State-Linked Groups, With Life Terms Possible
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 13
UK Moves to Ban Support for 3 State-Linked Groups, With Life Terms Possible
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 13
Summary
Draft regulations laid before Parliament would make support for Iran’s IRGC, Iran-backed IMCR and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps a criminal offence, with the designations potentially taking effect by Friday.
The new state-threats powers let prosecutors pursue cases without proving a foreign-power link, targeting conduct from fundraising and public support to assistance with UK-related sabotage or attacks.
The move follows seven claimed IMCR attacks on Jewish-linked sites in Britain this year, including arson against four ambulances in London; three men were charged in April.
London says the designations are aimed at foreign-backed espionage, interference and physical attacks, and they are likely to deepen already strained relations with Tehran.
Russia's elite GRU forces are reportedly decimated. Why is the UK targeting this weakened 'volunteer corps' with proscription now?
Does proscribing Iran's state military risk turning a security threat into a direct state-on-state conflict?
After the Supreme Leader's assassination, how can this ban effectively counter a now decentralized and unpredictable IRGC network?
UK Designates Iran’s IRGC as Security Threat Under 2026 National Security Act: Implications for Civil Liberties and Foreign Policy
Overview
On July 13, 2026, the UK government officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a major national security threat under the new National Security (State Threats) Act 2026. This decision was based on the IRGC’s deep and wide-ranging role within Iran, its activities that go beyond a typical military force, and its involvement in serious acts both inside and outside Iran. Alongside the IRGC, other groups were also designated, and the new law gives authorities stronger powers to disrupt anyone supporting these organizations, marking a significant step in the UK’s approach to state-linked threats.