July 20, 2026
The United Kingdom has taken a major step to counter the Iranian regime's global campaign of terrorism, repression, and regional destabilization.
The UK has designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a threat to national security, giving authorities new powers to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute the group's activities.
What is the IRGC?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is one of the most powerful institutions in Iran. Beyond protecting the Iranian regime, the IRGC oversees and supports many of Iran's proxy groups across the Middle East.
For decades, the IRGC has helped arm, train, and finance terrorist organizations, targeted dissidents and Jewish communities abroad, and carried out widespread human rights abuses inside Iran.
Why is the UK's decision significant?
The UK's designation expands the government's ability to restrict the IRGC's operations and sends a clear message that Iran's support for terrorism will face increasing international pressure.
The announcement also designates Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya (The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right), a group that has claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Jewish communities in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
Under the new measures, it is now a criminal offense in the UK to support either organization, assist their activities, or accept benefits from them. The designation also freezes IRGC assets in the UK, restricts fundraising and operations, and gives authorities additional tools to investigate IRGC-directed criminal and terrorist activity.
How did we get here?
Governments around the world have become increasingly concerned about the Iranian regime's growing use of proxy groups, transnational repression, and attacks on Jewish communities and other civilian targets.
For years, AJC has urged governments to take stronger action against the Iranian regime and its terrorist networks, including the IRGC. Most recently, AJC called on the UK government to move forward with this designation and welcomed growing international efforts to hold the regime accountable.
What's next?
The UK's decision marks another step in the international effort to confront Iran's support for terrorism, but additional action remains necessary.
AJC will continue working with governments and partners around the world to advance policies that disrupt the Iranian regime's terror networks, counter antisemitism, and strengthen the security of Jewish communities, Israel, and America's allies.
The UK has officially designated the IRGC as a national security threat, a significant step in confronting the Iranian regime's global campaign of terror.
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) July 21, 2026
In this video, @FishmanJulie, AJC's Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs, explains three reasons why this… pic.twitter.com/G3z3VRFj3n
