I have been contacted by several constituents who are very concerned about the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and would like to see it proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
Iran’s widening pattern of malign activity around the world - as well as its continued violations of its people’s rights – is, I agree, incredibly concerning. The UK and its partners must not tolerate Iran’s escalating nuclear programme, its desperate coalition with Russia, or its attacks and reckless use of proxies in the Middle East.
The IRGC are at the fore of the Iranian regime’s destructive conduct, both internally in the repression its own people, and in sowing chaos in the Middle East and beyond. Whether it is their actions propping up the former Assad regime in Syria, their support for Hamas or for other terrorist groups, Iran poses a significant threat to peace and stability in the region.
Since January 2022, the UK has also identified at least 20 threats emanating from Iran to the lives of UK-based individuals. This is totally unacceptable.
I am pleased the UK is actively disrupting such Iranian actions thanks to the robust sanctions’ regime established under the previous Government. The UK maintains sanctions on more than 400 Iranian individuals, entities and aligned groups for roles in weapons proliferation, regional conflicts, human rights violations, and terrorism. Sanctions have also been imposed on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in its entirety, as well as on more than 50 Iranian IRGC officials since October 2022. In addition, our National Security Act criminalises a wide range of hostile activities conducted by, for or on behalf of foreign powers, providing another significant toolkit in the fight against individuals working for state entities such as the IRGC.
It is also important, however, to recognise that proscribing the IRGC would effectively end the UK’s diplomatic relations with Iran, making it more difficult for the UK to deliver direct messages to the regime in Tehran, at a time when the UK needs to do all it can to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. Of course, we must continue to take a tough line with Iran to curb the regime’s unacceptable behaviour; we must look at what we can do in the round and all measures available need to be kept under constant review.
The previous Government took decisive action to degrade Iranian proxies' capabilities, including imposing sanctions to cut off flows of funding from Iran to Hamas. Along with the US, the UK also carried out strikes to degrade the Houthi’s ability to persist with their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Please be assured that I will continue to urge the UK Government to use every tool at its disposal to protect the UK and its overseas interests against any threats from the Iranian state.
While it is welcome news that the US has facilitated a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which now must be upheld to secure regional security, this Labour Government must urgently now clarify its role to protect our citizens, our country and its interests.
Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. It is a prolific state sponsor of terrorism with an unambiguous stated intention of annihilating the world's only Jewish state. My colleagues and I are clear that the recent actions taken by the United States, alongside Israel, to degrade Iran's nuclear weapons programme and military capabilities were necessary. I am concerned, however, that our current Prime Minister lacks the courage, conviction and statesmanship to stand in solidarity with the US and Israel, protect British nationals, secure our interests and influence the outcome of this conflict.
