UK to label Iran’s IRGC as “threat” | US-Israel War on Iran News

London is unveiling new powers targeting government proxies after accusing Iran’s military of carrying out anti-Semitic attacks.

The British government is being forced to use new powers allowing it to blackmail government proxies to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a threat to national security.

In a statement released on Monday, the government announced it was sending draft legislation to the UK Parliament that would ban support for the IRGC. The move follows a series of anti-Semitic incidents in the United Kingdom.

In a statement, the government said the introduction of the law was part of an effort to “stop government-sponsored activities in the UK”, noting that these included “espionage, foreign interference in our democracy, sabotage and attacks”.

Following this designation, it will be an offense to call for assistance or to provide assistance to the armed forces, to assist them in doing things related to the UK, to do things that will help them, or to accept or keep benefits that are given to or on their behalf, according to the report.

Apart from the IRGC, the UK government also listed the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), an Iran-backed group that carried out seven attacks on Jewish sites in the UK earlier this year, and Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU Volunteer Corps, as “the first organizations to be targeted under the new government threat”.

British police investigated incidents on Jewish-linked sites in London, including fire four ambulances to be part of a humanitarian movement in March, such as anti-Semitic crimes. There were three men was called and burn in April.

“If approved by Parliament later this week, those who carry out threats including arson on behalf of these groups could be jailed for life,” he said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “These new powers will make it easier to prosecute and jail anyone doing their dirty work here in Britain.”

The new law gives the UK government powers such as “bans” to appoint foreign proxies deemed to pose a threat to UK national security. It means that prosecutors do not need to establish the connection of foreign powers in cases involving selected groups.

“Iran and Russia are using proxies and terrorists to carry out their dirty work on the coast. I have immediately appointed three groups so that those working for them will be tracked down and imprisoned,” said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Reports from London, Al Jazeera’s Charlie Angela said the designation could take effect “on Friday”.

“What that means is that it will be a crime to support gangs in any way or to help them operate, and that could lead to life in prison,” Angela said.

“Technically, it will also show the deterioration of relations between Iran and the UK.” Earlier, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper summoned the Iranian ambassador to the Foreign Office and questioned him.

The government said the IRGC “has a long history of using proxies and terrorist networks to target outsiders – particularly Jews and Iranian dissidents”.

Tehran, which is still at war with the United States and Israel, has previously denied using proxies.

Regarding the GRU’s military intelligence operation, the government said Russia was using the group “for foreign intelligence and covert operations and has a long history of targeting the UK and its allies”.