Britain moves to designate IRGC and GRU Volunteer Corps as state threats
Synopsis
Britain is simultaneously targeting Iran and Russia in a single national security move — proposing the first-ever designations under its new State Threats Act 2026. The IRGC, an Iran-linked Islamist group, and Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps would all face life-imprisonment penalties for anyone supporting them in Britain, a legal escalation that goes beyond existing terrorism and sanctions frameworks.
Key Takeaways
The British government is moving to designate the IRGC , the IMCR , and the GRU Volunteer Corps as national security threats on 13 July .
If approved by parliament, they will be the first organisations designated under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 .
Supporters or beneficiaries of these groups in activities linked to Britain could face up to life imprisonment .
Three Iranian nationals — Mostafa Sepahvand , Farhad Javadi Manesh , and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori — were previously charged under the National Security Act for allegedly aiding Iran's intelligence service .
Iran has rejected the charges as 'false' and summoned the British charge d'affaires in protest.
The British government announced on Monday, 13 July that it is moving to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and two other organisations as formal national security threats under a new legal framework. If approved by parliament, the three groups would become the first organisations designated under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026.
The Three Organisations Targeted
Alongside the IRGC, the proposed designations cover the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), which Britain says is linked to Iran, and the GRU Volunteer Corps — formally overseen by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. The move signals a simultaneous hardening of British posture toward both Tehran and Moscow.
What the Designation Would Mean
According to a written statement by Security Minister Angela Eagle, the designation would make it a criminal offence to support or assist these organisations in activities linked to Britain, or to knowingly receive a material benefit from them. Certain offences under the new regime could carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Notably, this designation regime is legally separate from the existing system for proscribing terrorist organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000. The IRGC has already been sanctioned in its entirety by Britain, but the new framework creates an additional and distinct layer of legal liability.
Backdrop: Iran Espionage Charges and Diplomatic Fallout
The announcement comes amid a deepening diplomatic rift between London and Tehran. In May, the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) summoned Iran's ambassador following charges against three Iranian nationals under the National Security Act.
The three men — Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55 — appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. According to police, they allegedly conducted activities assisting Iran's intelligence service between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025. Sepahvand faces an additional charge of carrying out 'surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research' with intent to commit serious violence against a person in the UK.
In response, Iran's foreign ministry summoned the British charge d'affaires, protesting what it described as 'suspicious and unjustified' arrests. Tehran rejected the allegations as 'false' and the charges as 'unrealistic.' There was no immediate response from any of the three organisations named in the new designation proposal.
What Comes Next
The designations require parliamentary approval before taking effect. If passed, they will mark the first time the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 has been activated against any organisation — setting a legal precedent for how Britain handles state-linked threats beyond the traditional terrorism framework. The move is expected to draw further diplomatic protests from both Iran and Russia.
Point of View
And these first designations will define how broad or narrow its application becomes. The life-imprisonment threshold is a deliberate escalation, but its deterrent value depends entirely on prosecution follow-through — something the UK's record on state-threat cases has been inconsistent on. Tehran's swift counter-summoning of the British charge d'affaires suggests this diplomatic spiral has further to run.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026?
It is a new British law that creates a separate designation regime for organisations deemed national security threats — distinct from the existing Terrorism Act 2000 framework. The IRGC, IMCR, and GRU Volunteer Corps are proposed as its first-ever designees.
Why is Britain targeting the IRGC under this new law?
The IRGC has already been sanctioned in its entirety by Britain, but the new designation adds a criminal law dimension — making it an offence to support or benefit from the group's activities linked to Britain. The move follows espionage charges against three Iranian nationals accused of aiding Iran's intelligence service.
Who are the three Iranian nationals charged under the National Security Act?
They are Mostafa Sepahvand (39), Farhad Javadi Manesh (44), and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori (55), who appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. According to police, they allegedly assisted Iran's intelligence service between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025. Sepahvand faces an additional charge related to alleged surveillance with intent to commit serious violence in the UK.
What is the GRU Volunteer Corps?
The GRU Volunteer Corps is overseen by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces — commonly known as the GRU. Britain's proposed designation would make supporting or benefiting from its UK-linked activities a criminal offence carrying up to life imprisonment.
How has Iran responded to Britain's actions?
Iran's foreign ministry summoned the British charge d'affaires, protesting what it called 'suspicious and unjustified' arrests of Iranian nationals in Britain. Tehran rejected the espionage allegations as 'false' and the charges as 'unrealistic.' There was no immediate response from the IRGC or the other designated organisations.
