UK Formally Criminalizes Support For Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps
On Friday, July 17, 2026, the United Kingdom formally designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a national security threat and criminalized support for the group.[1]
The law makes providing support or assistance to the IRGC punishable by up to 14 years in prison, and acts of sabotage on the group's behalf can carry life sentences.[1] The measure was approved by both houses of Parliament and was fast-tracked by the outgoing government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.[1]
Two Romanian men were sentenced earlier in July 2026 to 12 and 8 years for their roles in the 2024 knife attack on journalist Pouria Zeraati.[1] Zeraati was stabbed outside his south London home in March 2024 after months of surveillance, and he welcomed the UK move as a way to target those directing such plots from Iran.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, July 17, 2026, the UK designated Iran's IRGC a national security threat after approval by both houses of Parliament.
- Under the new law, providing support or assistance to the IRGC in the UK can be punished by up to 14 years in prison.
- Acts of sabotage carried out on behalf of the IRGC can now be punishable by up to life imprisonment.
- The designation was fast-tracked by the outgoing government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- Journalist Pouria Zeraati, stabbed outside his south London home in March 2024, welcomed the measure as a way to target those directing such plots from Iran.
- Two Romanian men were sentenced earlier in July 2026 to 12 and 8 years for their roles in the 2024 knife attack on Zeraati, which followed months of surveillance.
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