UK bans Iran-backed proxy group and Revolutionary Guard over attacks on Jewish sites
Britain announced sanctions and bans on the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right and Iran's Revolutionary Guard, citing their involvement in arson attacks on Jewish institutions and other hostile activities.
London – The British government said on Monday that it will ban the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR), a proxy group it links to Iran, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The measures follow a series of arson and vandalism incidents targeting Jewish sites in the United Kingdom, which the government says were claimed by the IMCR.
Security Minister Angela Eagle stated that the IMCR has claimed responsibility for seven attacks, including fires at synagogues, a Jewish charity ambulance service and a Persian-language media outlet critical of Tehran. She added that members of the IRGC’s Quds Force were "almost certainly" directing the group’s operations across Europe.
The bans, which must be approved by Parliament by the end of the week, will make it illegal to support the designated organisations and carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for sabotage on their behalf. The government also announced sanctions that will allow authorities to freeze any IMCR assets held in the UK.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had summoned the Iranian ambassador to condemn what she described as Iran’s “malign behaviour” and to reaffirm Britain’s commitment to protecting the Jewish community. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the new powers would help prosecute individuals acting as “thugs for hire” on behalf of foreign states.
In a separate move, Britain designated the GRU Volunteer Corps, a unit linked to Russia’s military intelligence, as a national security threat, citing its role in foreign intelligence collection and covert operations.
No injuries were reported in the recent arson attacks, and Iran has not commented on the allegations.