UK Announces Ban on Support for Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Draws Iranian Backlash
The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has announced plans to criminalize support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, prompting condemnation from Tehran.
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London has moved to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a prohibited entity, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing that anyone supporting the group could face up to 14 years in prison. The measure, part of a proposed law to be presented to Parliament, marks a significant shift in the UK’s approach to Iranian state-linked organizations.
Starmer stated, 'Anyone found supporting or assisting these groups will now face up to 14 years in prison,' underscoring the government’s intent to deter material or logistical aid to the IRGC. The announcement, reported by Peoples Gazette and Vanguard News, signals a broader effort to align the UK’s counterterrorism framework with evolving geopolitical threats.
Iran has responded swiftly, condemning the UK’s decision as unjust and politically motivated. While official statements from Tehran were not detailed in the source material, the criticism reflects growing diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The IRGC, a branch of Iran’s armed forces responsible for safeguarding the country’s Islamic revolutionary principles, has long been a point of contention in international relations.
The proposed legislation is expected to be debated in Parliament in the coming days. If passed, it would criminalize not only direct support but also any form of assistance to the IRGC, echoing similar designations previously adopted by the United States and some European allies. The UK government has not yet clarified whether the ban will extend to the entire IRGC or specific units within it.