The UK Home Office has confirmed that the government is to ban Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The move will be made under emergency legislation to crack down on foreign state-backed activities.
The Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps have also been added to the list of banned organisations.
If parliament approves the move later this week, those involved in sabotage, including arson, by these groups could face life imprisonment.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We will never allow Britain to be a safe haven for countries that seek to sow fear, division and violence on our streets.”
The Home Office said: “This will strengthen the government’s ability to tackle state threats from foreign powers, while giving police ‘greater powers’ to tackle the activities of these three groups.”
The statement said: “Those found to be supporting or aiding these organisations could be jailed for up to 14 years under the new offences.”
The government said: “It will now be easier to bring those found to be working with these groups to justice and they can be sent to prison for longer periods.”
The British government added: “It has already taken ‘strong measures’ against Iran, including imposing full sanctions on the Revolutionary Guards and imposing sanctions on more than 550 individuals and entities linked to Iran.”
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood said that those working for the three organisations would be “tracked down and sent to jail” and vowed that “every possible step would be taken” to keep the country safe.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said that “the UK will take all necessary steps to protect its citizens, both at home and abroad.”
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