Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

UK Bans Iran IRGC, Summons Diplomat Amid Condemnation

7/15/2026

50 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Britain invoked its security law to ban Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the proxy Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right.
Britain summoned Charge d'Affaires Ali Nasimfar to the Foreign Office over alleged IRGC Quds Force attacks across Europe between March and May.
Iran condemned the UK designations, calling the IRGC an official armed force and accusing Britain of breaching international law.

History

Historical Context

In 2010 the United Kingdom passed the Iran Sanctions Act, freezing assets of more than 30 Iranian firms and blocking about £1.2 billion in oil revenues. The measure followed UN resolutions and a 2012 EU oil embargo that targeted IRGC financing. Reviving the act in 2024 to ban the IRGC Quds Force and its proxy mirrors the EU’s recent missile-component bans.

1 of 2

Story summary

Britain invoked its security law to ban Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the proxy Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right.
Britain summoned Charge d'Affaires Ali Nasimfar to the Foreign Office over alleged IRGC Quds Force attacks across Europe between March and May.
Iran condemned the UK designations, calling the IRGC an official armed force and accusing Britain of breaching international law.

1 / 2