The United Kingdom has officially designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a threat to national security, making any expression of support for the organization a criminal offense carrying up to 14 years in prison.
The United Kingdom has now designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat, making any expression of support for the organization a criminal offense carrying a maximum of 14 years in prison. This criminalization, announced at 16:37 Jerusalem following the Home Secretary's earlier announcement of new legal powers at 12:53 Jerusalem today, marks a significant hardening of the UK's stance on Iran. The move comes after the UK's initial designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization on Monday, July 13, at 14:17 Jerusalem.
On Monday at 14:17 Jerusalem, The Zioneer first reported the UK's designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, citing N12 journalist Asaf Rozentzweig. Shortly after, a second report confirmed the move, citing Israel Hayom, and security analyst Yair Goldblatt called the designation overdue. The evolution of corroboration: from a single journalist to additional news outlets. Later today, at 12:53 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported Iran's condemnation of the UK's plan to criminalize support for the IRGC, labeling it a 'hostile act.' The current announcement formalizes that plan into law.
The designation and criminalization come amid heightened tensions. The IRGC has raised its alert level to the highest and threatened an 'unprecedented' response to any US attack, as The Zioneer reported on June 9. The IRGC also declared an end to its policy of restraint on July 13, threatening Gulf infrastructure. The UK's measures are also set against a series of alleged Iranian plots against Jewish and Israeli targets in Britain, as previously reported.
The exact scope of the new criminal offense—what constitutes 'support'—and its enforcement mechanisms have not yet been detailed. The UK government may provide further guidance in the coming days.
3 developments
- StrongIran condemns UK plan to criminalize support for Revolutionary Guards
- ConfirmedUK government links Iran-backed proxy group to anti-Semitic attacks, bans IMCR and IRGC
- DevelopingIRGC issues new threat against unspecified targets
- DevelopingNew Zealand deputy PM says Wellington 'seriously considering' designating Iran's IRGC a terror group
Source and signal
- Internal intake