LONDON — The United Kingdom’s government announced Monday it is using new state-threat powers to crack down on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a second Iran-linked organization, following a wave of antisemitic incidents carried out on British streets.
The newly applied powers would essentially make it illegal to support either group while also expanding the authority of police and intelligence services to address any threats connected to them.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the move directly, stating: “These new powers will make it easier to prosecute and lock up anyone carrying out their dirty work here in Britain.”
The IRGC has long operated as an elite military branch loyal to Iran’s Supreme Leader, having been founded in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The organization is already subject to British sanctions.
The second group named, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, has claimed responsibility for seven separate attacks targeting Jewish and Israeli communities as well as Persian-language media outlets. Among those incidents was an antisemitic arson attack on March 23 that destroyed four Hatzola ambulances in the Golders Green area.
In addition to the two Iranian-linked organizations, Britain also applied the new powers to Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency.
All of the designations are subject to parliamentary approval before they can officially go into force.
