The United Kingdom has announced a major national security measure by designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat under newly strengthened legislation. The decision comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to intensify across the Middle East, with both sides reporting fresh military actions.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the UK government will use expanded powers under the National Security (State Threats) Act to prohibit support for the IRGC. The move is aimed at countering activities linked to intimidation, threats, and hostile operations that British authorities say are associated with the organization.
Under the new legal framework, expressing support for the IRGC, promoting its activities, or providing assistance to the group could become a criminal offence carrying a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. The government said the legislation is designed to strengthen Britain’s response to foreign state-linked threats operating within or against the UK.
Government Says IRGC Plays Central Role in Iranian State Activities
In a written statement presented to Parliament, Home Office Minister Angela Eagle said the Home Secretary had concluded that the legal requirements for designation had been met.
According to the statement, the IRGC is not simply a conventional military force but a central pillar of Iran’s security structure, directly accountable to the country’s Supreme Leader. The government said its activities include intelligence operations, the use of proxy groups, and efforts to project Iranian influence beyond its borders.
British officials have previously linked the IRGC to alleged plots involving intimidation and threats against individuals in the UK. The latest designation forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen national security against hostile foreign actors.
Two Additional Organisations Also Designated
Alongside the IRGC, the UK government announced restrictions against two other organisations.
These include the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and the volunteer corps linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. Officials said the three organisations met the statutory threshold for designation under the updated national security legislation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had earlier pledged to accelerate implementation of the National Security (State Threats) Act, and the latest announcement represents one of the first major uses of the expanded powers.
Iran Reports Drone Interception
As Britain unveiled its security measures, developments on the battlefield continued in the Middle East.
Iranian media reported that the country’s armed forces successfully intercepted and destroyed a US-manufactured “Lucas” suicide drone over Bandar Abbas. According to the Tasnim News Agency, the drone was accurately targeted and shot down before completing its mission.
Read Also: Iran Launches ‘Eye For An Eye’ Operation, Claims Missile Strikes On US Bases Across Gulf
Iranian authorities have presented the interception as evidence of the country’s air defence capabilities amid ongoing military exchanges with the United States.
IRGC Claims Fresh Retaliatory Attacks
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also announced what it described as a fifth wave of retaliatory military operations targeting American-linked facilities across the region.
According to Iranian state media, missile and drone strikes were launched against US military bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Iranian reports also claimed radar installations in Oman were among the targets during the latest operation.
The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no comprehensive confirmation regarding the extent of damage at the reported locations.
US Military Details Recent Operations
The United States military has confirmed carrying out a large-scale operation targeting multiple military sites inside Iran.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said dozens of targets were struck, including Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar facilities, missile launch capabilities, drone infrastructure, and small military boats.
The operation reportedly involved fighter aircraft, naval assets, one-way attack aerial drones, and, for the first time, one-way attack sea drones. American officials described the strikes as part of efforts to degrade Iran’s military capabilities amid the escalating conflict.
Casualties Reported Following US Strikes
Iranian media reported that at least two people have been killed and 11 others injured in US strikes since Sunday.
One person was killed and seven injured after an attack near Nain County in Isfahan province, according to the Mehr News Agency. Another incident in Mahshahr, located in Khuzestan province, reportedly killed a security guard and injured four others after a projectile struck an agricultural water pumping station.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA identified the deceased in Mahshahr as a security guard working at the facility. Provincial authorities said emergency services and medical teams responded immediately to assist those injured.
Regional Security Concerns Continue to Grow
The latest exchange of attacks has heightened security concerns across the Gulf region.
Authorities in Bahrain activated air raid sirens early Monday after reports of incoming threats. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry confirmed that warning systems were triggered at dawn. The Gulf kingdom hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, making it a strategically significant location during the ongoing crisis.
While there were no immediate reports of damage following the alerts, regional governments remain on high alert as military tensions continue to rise. The UK’s decision to tighten measures against the IRGC adds another international dimension to an already volatile geopolitical situation, with diplomatic efforts facing increasing challenges as the conflict shows few signs of easing.
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