Prime Minister Starmer has formally proscribed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as an illegal organisation, making support for the group a criminal offence. The action, pledged in Labour’s 2024 manifesto and long resisted by prior governments, was driven by Foreign Secretary Cooper and Home Secretary Mahmood despite civil service opposition. Critics question the timing and whether the move is a legacy play; Conservative figures had argued proscription would not necessarily anger t

Prime Minister Starmer has formally proscribed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as an illegal organisation, making support for the group a criminal offence. The action, pledged in Labour’s 2024 manifesto and long resisted by prior governments, was driven by Foreign Secretary Cooper and Home Secretary Mahmood despite civil service opposition. Critics question the timing and whether the move is a legacy play; Conservative figures had argued proscription would not necessarily anger the US. Legal advice from Jonathan Hall QC on the path to proscription existed prior to the decision. Any diplomatic or enforcement consequences will fall to incoming prime minister Andy Burnham. The UK joins allies including the US, EU, Canada and Australia in listing the IRGC.