Britain has moved to target Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and another Iran-linked organisation using new state-threat powers following a series of antisemitic incidents across the country.
The measures, announced on Monday by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government, are designed to tackle organisations accused of carrying out or supporting hostile foreign state activity. If approved by Parliament, the designations would effectively outlaw support for the groups and give police and intelligence agencies additional powers to investigate and prosecute related activities.
“These new powers will make it easier to prosecute and lock up anyone carrying out their dirty work here in Britain,” Starmer said in a statement.
The IRGC, which is already subject to UK sanctions, is an elite military force established after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution and operates under the authority of the country's Supreme Leader.
Britain also designated the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, which authorities said had claimed responsibility for seven attacks linked to Jewish and Israeli communities, as well as Persian-language media outlets.
Among the incidents cited by the government was the arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on 23 March, which authorities described as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as a "deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack", while counter-terrorism police investigated claims of responsibility made by the Iran-linked Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right.
British authorities have also pointed to a broader pattern of threats against Jewish, Israeli and Persian-language media targets amid warnings from MI5 and government officials about Iran-linked hostile activity on British soil.
In addition to the Iran-linked groups, Britain designated Russia's GRU military intelligence agency under the same state-threat framework.
The government said the new powers are intended to strengthen the UK's ability to counter foreign-state threats and protect communities from intimidation, violence and covert influence operations.
Parliament must now approve the designations before they can come into force. Once enacted, the measures would create new criminal offences related to supporting or assisting the designated organisations and expand the powers available to law enforcement agencies to disrupt their activities in Britain.
Israeli forces have maintained a tight closure on Hebron in the occupied West Bank for a second day, with Palestinian media reporting home raids, m...
Around 11,000 people joined a demonstration in Orléans on Saturday against the National Rally congress, according to the local prefecture....
German police have detained a suspect after a major fire broke out at the historic Kehlsteinhaus, known as the “Eagle’s Nest&rdqu...
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Around 11,000 people joined a demonstration in Orléans on Saturday against the National Rally congress, according to the local prefecture.
Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday, leaving one person dead and more than 500 injured as strong winds and torrential rain brought down trees, cut power and disrupted transport across the island.
A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake has struck Tibet in southwestern China, killing 16 people and injuring 65, while forcing more than 12,000 residents to relocate as rescue teams respond to widespread aftershocks.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday described a deadly shooting in the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, west of Paris, as a racist attack and ‘a turning point’ for the country.
Around 11,000 people joined a demonstration in Orléans on Saturday against the National Rally congress, according to the local prefecture.
German police have detained a suspect after a major fire broke out at the historic Kehlsteinhaus, known as the “Eagle’s Nest”, a mountain retreat once used by senior Nazi officials, including Adolf Hitler.
Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday, leaving one person dead and more than 500 injured as strong winds and torrential rain brought down trees, cut power and disrupted transport across the island.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday dismissed accusations that Canada planned to interfere in next month’s U.S. midterm elections, saying he was disappointed by comments from the American ambassador.
Kenya has recorded a second death from Ebola, the health ministry said late on Friday, as the outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread across Africa.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment