On Monday, the British government held Iranian-linked groups responsible for a series of anti-Semitic arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in the UK. This has prompted new measures to ban Tehran’s influential Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and introduce additional powers to address foreign-sponsored subversive activities.
Officials indicated that the right-wing Islamic Brotherhood Movement (IMCR) has claimed responsibility for seven attacks this year, which have targeted Jewish and Israeli locations as well as Persian-language media critical of the Iranian regime. The British government believes that the elite Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards is “almost certainly” overseeing these operations throughout Europe.
The incidents included fires set at a London synagogue and a Jewish charity ambulance, among other community facilities. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the new actions would send a strong message against foreign entities aiming to incite violence in the UK. He stated, “We will never allow Britain to become a playground for countries that seek to spread fear, division and violence in our streets. There’s no place in the UK for those acting on behalf of individuals who threaten our nation’s security.”
If the Congressional approval goes through later this week, anyone involved in acts of sabotage or arson for the Revolutionary Guards or similar groups could face life imprisonment. Supporting or aiding such organizations might lead to a sentence of up to 14 years.
The government pointed out that under the newly established National Security (National Threat) Act 2026, it will be easier to secure convictions without needing to demonstrate direct ties to foreign governments in every case. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmoud accused Tehran and Russia of using criminal operatives to conduct harmful operations in the UK, asserting, “Iran and Russia are utilizing proxies and thugs to do their dirty work on our shores. I’ll swiftly designate three groups, track down the people involved, and ensure they face justice.”
Moreover, the IMCR surfaced online earlier this year, taking responsibility for attacks on synagogues in Belgium and the Netherlands. British intelligence suggests that Iranian-backed proxies are increasingly turning to criminal organizations to commit sabotage and threats across Europe, often targeting Jewish communities and Iranian dissidents.
MI5 has reportedly identified at least 20 Iranian-backed plots against individuals in the UK over the last year. The British government has already imposed sanctions on over 550 individuals and groups connected to Iran and has committed £250 million ($334.7 million) over three years to enhance Jewish community security, including improved protection for synagogues, schools, and community centers.
Britain has also designated the Russian GRU volunteer forces, expressing that the group operates as a proxy for Russian military intelligence, recruiting individuals online for sabotage and other hostile actions.
This crackdown follows the recent sentencing of two Romanian men for stabbing a journalist affiliated with a Farsi-language TV station in London, an attack a judge indicated was executed on behalf of the Iranian state.
Iran has yet to respond to Monday’s announcements.
