UK lawmakers call for ban on Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as terrorist organization

LONDON — British lawmakers and members of the House of Lords have collectively urged the UK government to designate the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, citing its alleged role in fomenting chaos across the Middle East.

In a letter directed to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, over 60 representatives from the House of Commons and members of the House of Lords emphasized the critical need for an immediate ban on the IRGC. They framed this as a crucial step towards re-establishing stability in the tumultuous Middle East.

Prominent figures within the Conservative Party lent their signatures to the letter, urging the UK government to swiftly acknowledge the urgency of classifying the IRGC as a terrorist organization and to take concrete action on this matter.

While the IRGC is already subject to British sanctions, the formal designation of the organization as a terrorist group would elevate certain activities related to it to the level of a felony. This includes belonging to the IRGC, attending its meetings, or publicly displaying its slogans and symbols.

Although the possibility of including the IRGC on the UK’s list of terrorist organizations has been under consideration since the beginning of 2023, no definitive decision has been reached thus far. The call from lawmakers adds renewed pressure for the UK government to make a conclusive determination on this matter.