Full Breakdown
UK Prime Minister Announces Plan to Proscribe Iran’s IRGC Amid Rising Antisemitic Attacks
4/25/2026, 8:52:22 AM
Immediate Announcement: Prospective IRGC Proscription
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told reporters at Kenton United Synagogue that legislation to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will be introduced in the upcoming parliamentary session. He said the move will be part of a “new anti-terror power” that creates criminal offences for supporting state-backed groups.
Background: IRGC and Prior International Bans
The IRGC, founded to defend Iran’s Islamic system, now commands tens of thousands of active personnel and is widely accused of sponsoring terrorism abroad. The United States, Canada, Australia, the European Union, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have already listed the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. The United Kingdom has previously relied on the Terrorism Act 2000, under which groups such as Hezbollah have been banned, but has not yet applied the same tool to the IRGC.
Legal Context and Proposed Powers
An independent review by Jonathan Hall KC recommended new powers “equivalent to proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000” to target state-run organisations. In May 2023 the Home Office accepted Hall’s recommendations, and the government announced that the new powers will be included in the King’s Speech on 13 May. The draft legislation would allow the Home Secretary to designate a foreign-state-backed entity as a terrorist group, creating offences for recruitment, fundraising and public support.
Key Stakeholders and Their Positions
- Sir Keir Starmer – Prime Minister, championing the legislation as a response to “malign state actors”.
- Sir Ephraim Mirvis – Chief Rabbi, calling the ban “long overdue”.
- Phil Rosenberg – President, Board of Deputies of British Jews, pledging community-government cooperation.
- Saul Taylor – President, United Synagogue, describing security costs as a “tax on being Jewish”.
- Priti Patel – Shadow Foreign Secretary, accusing Labour of lagging behind allies.
- Yvette Cooper – Former Home Secretary, confirming the government’s acceptance of Hall’s recommendations.
On-the-Ground Threats: Synagogue Attacks and Arrests
The announcement followed an arson attack on Kenton United Synagogue, in which a bottle containing an accelerant was thrown through a window. A 17-year-old pleaded guilty to arson. Separate incidents include fire-bombings of ambulances belonging to Hatzolah and attacks on Finchley Reform Synagogue. Police have arrested eight suspects linked to the series of attacks, and two teenagers (17 and 19) were detained in connection with the Kenton incident. The group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) has claimed responsibility, though its direct ties to Iran remain disputed.
Data on Antisemitic Incidents and IRGC Size
- IRGC: estimated “tens of thousands” of active personnel.
- Antisemitic incidents recorded by the Community Security Trust: 3,700 in 2025, a sharp rise since October 2023.
- Security expenditure: a London synagogue reports spending £20,000 per month on guards.
- Arrests: eight suspects in recent attacks; one conviction for arson.
Official Statements & Responses
The government affirmed that the forthcoming legislation will “deal with malign state actors” and align the UK with its European, North American and Gulf partners. Yvette Cooper reiterated that the Home Office will “draw up new powers modelled on counter-terrorism legislation” to restrict foreign-state-backed organisations. The Home Office declined to comment on the specific timing of the IRGC proscription.
Criticism & Opposition
Priti Patel warned that “our allies… have already acted, and the UK is lagging behind,” and criticised Labour for “failing to deliver” despite earlier promises. Former intelligence chiefs have described the government’s “continued hesitancy” as leaving Britain “strategically exposed”. The previous Conservative administration cited diplomatic relations with Iran as a reason for not proscribing the IRGC.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the extent of Iranian involvement in the synagogue attacks; while HAYI claims responsibility, analysts note that the group’s authenticity and direct links to Tehran remain unverified. The Home Office has not confirmed whether any new powers have already been enacted, and no official Iranian response has been obtained.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle, Sir Keir said he was “very worried” about the increasing use of proxies by the Iranian regime.” — Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
- “In relation to malign state actors more generally, proscription, we do need legislation in order to take necessary measures, and that is legislation that we're bringing forward as soon as we can.” — Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
- “We will be engaging with the Government to ensure the requisite actions are taken to keep our community and our country safe from the Iranian and wider Islamist threat,” — Phil Rosenberg, President, Board of Deputies of British Jews
- “It is long overdue. No one can expect our Jewish community and peace-loving people in this country to feel at ease as long as that ban is not in place,” — Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi
- “Our allies from Europe to Canada and the Gulf have already acted, and the UK is lagging behind.” — Priti Patel, Shadow Foreign Secretary
- “There's been so much that's been dragging,” — Saul Taylor, President, United Synagogue
What’s Next: Legislative Timeline and Potential Implications
The King’s Speech on 13 May is expected to contain the draft proscription bill. If passed, the IRGC would join Hezbollah on the UK’s terrorist list, enabling criminal prosecution of supporters and tightening scrutiny of Iranian-linked charities. The move may affect UK-Iran diplomatic engagement and could prompt reciprocal measures from Tehran. Ongoing investigations into the synagogue attacks will continue alongside parliamentary debate on the new anti-terror powers.
