Starmer vows to ban Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to introduce legislation within weeks to ban Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). The Labor leader has faced growing pressure to take action against the Iranian military organisation, which has already been designated a terrorist entity by the European Union and is on Australia’s list of state sponsors of terrorism.
While ministers had previously argued that the ban was not directed at state bodies such as the Revolutionary Guard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has now confirmed that new legislation is being developed. This framework would include “ban-like powers” specifically aimed at restricting “malicious state activities.” The Prime Minister recently reiterated that this legislation would be introduced within weeks, and made the announcement during a visit to the London synagogue targeted by arsonists.
Asked by the Jewish Chronicle about the possibility of banning the IRGC, Sir Keir said: “On the issue of banning malicious state actors more generally, we need legislation to take the necessary action and we are putting that legislation forward as soon as possible.
“We will enter a new session in a few weeks and we will bring this legislation forward.”
The next parliamentary session will begin after the King’s speech on 13 May.
During the same visit to Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called on the Prime Minister to accelerate the process of banning the Revolutionary Guard and “similar organisations”.
Sir Keir Starmer said he was “increasingly concerned” about countries using proxies for criminal activity in the UK following a series of arson attacks on Jewish community venues.
The group, which calls itself Harakat Ashab al-Yemin al-Islamiye, the Islamic Movement of the Right Companions, which is suspected of being backed by Iran, has claimed responsibility for most of the incidents, as well as other attacks in Europe since March 9.
The Revolutionary Guard is a branch of Iran’s military created to protect the ruling Islamic Republic but has been linked to at least 20 credible threats in the UK since 2022.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Protecting our national security is the government’s first duty and we will do whatever is necessary to protect our citizens from harm.
“We are introducing ban-like powers to thwart malicious government activity. Work on this legislation is well underway and you can expect to see more soon.”
