LONDON, May 19 — The UK government is set to unveil stringent new measures targeting individuals accused of aiding Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warning that offenders will face the “full weight of the law.” Jonathan Hall, the independent adviser on terrorism legislation, will publish a report this week proposing a novel legal framework to curb IRGC activities without formally designating it as a terrorist group.
The report, commissioned by the Home Office, advocates for a “proscription-like” mechanism to deter collaboration with the IRGC, which operates as an official arm of the Iranian government. Hall emphasized that existing terrorism laws are ill-suited for state-linked entities but stressed the need for “more tools” to counter threats posed by Iranian operatives.
Shift in Strategy Amid Rising Threats
Successive UK governments have resisted proscribing the IRGC—a move that would criminalize membership or support—over diplomatic concerns and legal complexities. However, escalating Iranian-linked plots on British soil have prompted a rethink. Recent incidents include:
- Three Iranian asylum seekers charged with spying for Tehran.
- Five men arrested this month over an alleged plot targeting the Israeli embassy in London.
Over 500 MPs and Lords, including former Labour leader Lord Kinnock and ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman, have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to proscribe the IRGC. Proscription carries penalties of up to 14 years in prison for membership and six months for public support.
Internet-Enabled Threats and Subversion
Hall warned that hostile states like Iran and Russia are exploiting the internet to recruit individuals for sabotage and espionage. “The internet offers a perfect way to task, pay, and radicalize people remotely,” he said, citing IRGC-linked plots to assassinate former U.S. officials John Bolton and Donald Trump, orchestrated from Tehran.
In a speech to the Police Exchange think tank, Hall highlighted the convergence of state-backed threats and terrorism, noting that young people previously drawn to extremist groups are now being recruited via platforms like Telegram to aid Russian sabotage efforts.
Calls for New Anti-Subversion Laws
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper underscored the need to “strengthen powers against state threats,” while Hall proposed expanding liability laws to counter foreign influence. He also raised controversial ideas, including banning extremist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood—linked to Hamas—from electoral participation.
Iran Declared Top Security Threat
The Home Office recently classified Iran and its agents as a top-tier security risk under a new foreign influence register. Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed the IRGC and Iranian intelligence will face mandatory activity disclosures, with non-compliance punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.
Key Quote:
“If you collaborate with the IRGC, expect the full force of the law. We must signal that aiding hostile states will bring severe consequences.” — Jonathan Hall
