July 13, 2026
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, welcomed today’s decision by the United Kingdom to designate the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a threat to national security under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026. AJC has tirelessly advocated for UK government action to counter the IRGC. This new policy is an important step to address the Iranian regime's malign activities and weaken its ability to spread terror and instability.
“The United Kingdom's designation of the IRGC is a long-overdue recognition of the threat posed by the Iranian regime’s most dangerous instrument of repression and terror. The IRGC exports violence far beyond Iran’s borders, brutalizes the Iranian people, targets Jewish communities, and fuels instability across the globe. This designation is an essential step toward holding the regime accountable and disrupting its malign activities,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch.
AJC will continue advocating for all available measures to counter the IRGC and the regime’s threats.
We also welcome the designation of Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya (The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, or The Islamic Movement of Right-Wing Youth), a shadowy group suspected of Iranian backing, which claimed responsibility for several attacks targeting the Jewish community in the UK and elsewhere.
The UK’s decision follows a growing international recognition of the IRGC’s role in terrorism and destabilization efforts. The United States, Canada, Australia, and several other nations have previously adopted measures targeting the IRGC or its components, while the European Union added the IRGC to its terrorist list in February.
While the EU’s recent action against the IRGC represents an important step, it continues to maintain a distinction between Hezbollah’s political and military wings, designating only the latter. The Iranian regime uses the IRGC to train, support, and channel funds and materiel to Hezbollah. AJC has consistently advocated for the EU to designate Hezbollah in its entirety and will continue to press European institutions and member states to adopt a full designation.
American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, creating trusted partnerships with leaders around the world to ensure Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. Through 40 offices and dozens of partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC engages leaders in more than 110 countries, empowering those in government, education, partner communities, and the private sector to counter antisemitism and act as allies. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
