UK gov't proscribes IRGC as terrorist group after attacks on Jewish community

The United Kingdom has officially designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a move that criminalizes inviting support for the group and assisting its UK-related activities. This significant step, reported by Sky News, was fast-tracked by ministers under the new National (State Threats) Bill, which extends existing legislation to cover state-backed entities.

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That is not a decision to celebrate without asking why it took this long, but it is the right one, and I welcome it. Proscribing the IRGC is the floor, not the ceiling. The real fight now is against the network around it: the front charities, the so-called Islamic centers and education centers that launder its ideology into British communities, the online broadcasters and the social media influencers who do Tehran's work for it. None of that stops because one organization has been added to a schedule.

The new law makes it a criminal offense to express support for the IRGC, assist it in carrying out UK-related activities, or benefit from its activities. Those found in breach of the law face up to 14 years in prison or a substantial fine. The government stated the aim is to "disrupt individuals who promote the interests and objectives of designated bodies."

While welcoming the decision, some observers argue that proscribing the IRGC is only the beginning. Roger Macmillan, a former director for the Iranian diaspora site Iran International, told The Jerusalem Post that the "real fight now is against the network around it." He highlighted the need to address front charities, Islamic centers, education centers, and online broadcasters that propagate Tehran's ideology within British communities.

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Macmillan said the proscription of the IRGC must now be matched with the political will and resources to support the Police and the Security Services in actively going after networks and bringing people to justice, "not just designate an organization on paper."

Macmillan stressed that the proscription must be accompanied by the political will and resources to enable police and security services to actively pursue these networks and bring individuals to justice. "Today is the right first step, many years too late. The hard work starts now," he stated, underscoring that designation on paper is insufficient without robust enforcement.

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Today is the right first step, many years too late. The hard work starts now.