UK Plans New Powers to Tackle Iran-Backed State Threats

The UK government is introducing new legislation to combat state-backed threats, specifically targeting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following recent arrests of Iranian nationals charged with spying and terrorism offenses. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the Iranian regime as an "unacceptable threat" to domestic security and emphasized the need for powers modeled on counter-terrorism laws to address threats from hostile states. The new laws will enable the proscription of state-based groups like the IRGC and criminalize public support or displays of their insignia. Jonathan Hall, the government’s independent terrorism legislation reviewer, recommended employing "threat notices" akin to proscription to name and shame state actors such as the IRGC, facilitating executive actions including arrest, prosecution, or deportation. These measures reflect a shift from existing terrorism laws, which were designed primarily for non-state actors, to a framework better suited for state-backed entities. The government’s approach aims to strengthen national security by disrupting influence networks and deterring state-sponsored hostile activities within the UK.