UK Considers Proscribing IRGC Amid Labour Party Tensions Over Israel

The UK government is contemplating the proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a move that could potentially appease pro-Israel Members of Parliament (MPs) within the Labour Party. This consideration comes amidst growing tensions within the party over its stance on Israel.

The IRGC, established in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution, has been a subject of international scrutiny due to its significant influence in Iranian politics and economy. With approximately 190,000 active personnel, the organization operates separately from and parallel to the regular Iranian armed forces, maintaining its own ground forces, navy, and air force.

Senior government officials have privately indicated to Labour backbenchers that further action against Iran is under consideration. This reassurance follows deep divisions within the party after the announcement of a partial arms embargo on Israel on September 2, 2024.

The Prime Minister has faced challenges in maintaining party unity on Israel-related issues since taking office. Several MPs from the moderate wing of the party have expressed frustration with recent decisions, including:

• The resumption of funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) in July 2024
• The decision to drop the previous government's challenge to the International Criminal Court application for an arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu
• The announcement of a partial arms embargo on Israel

These actions have led pro-Israel MPs, primarily from the more moderate faction of the Labour Party, to make private representations to Downing Street expressing their concerns.

"Quite a lot of us are quite p---ed off about the substance of the arms export licence and the fact that it looks like a pattern of decisions that are all heading in one direction. We would like to see some steering back."

The government's consideration of proscribing the IRGC aligns with actions taken by other countries. The United States designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019, and countries such as Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain have also proscribed it as a terror group.

The IRGC has been accused of supporting various militant groups across the Middle East and has been subject to numerous international sanctions. It plays a significant role in Iran's ballistic missile program and is involved in the country's nuclear activities.

On September 2, 2024, the UK government announced a new round of sanctions against three individuals within the IRGC Quds Force and an IRGC unit for threatening stability in the Middle East. The Quds Force, a specialized unit within the IRGC, focuses on unconventional warfare and military intelligence operations.

A government spokesperson stated, "Iran's destabilization of the Middle East, their human rights violations, nuclear escalation, and threats against people in the UK are abhorrent. We will not hesitate to take the most effective measures against the regime and the IRGC."

As the situation develops, the UK government continues to evaluate its options in dealing with state threats, including those from the IRGC, while navigating the complex political landscape both domestically and internationally.