The UK government has formally proscribed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), and the GRU Volunteer Corps (GRU VC) under the National (State Threats) Bill 2026. This legislation, fast-tracked by the Prime Minister, closes a legislative loophole that previously prevented the designation of state-backed organizations as terror groups, allowing for maximum sentences of life imprisonment for those who support or assist these entities.
New Legal Thresholds for State-Backed Threats
The National (State Threats) Bill 2026 creates a robust framework for addressing foreign power interference. Under the new law, it is now a criminal offense to invite support for the IRGC, the IMCR, or the GRU VC. The prohibition extends to expressing opinions supportive of these groups, engaging in conduct that materially assists them, or retaining any material benefit provided by them.
The Home Secretary determined that sufficient evidence exists to link these organizations to foreign power threat activity. According to official findings, the IMCR—also known as Hakarat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI)—claimed responsibility for seven distinct attacks between March and May 2026. These incidents targeted journalists, Israeli-linked interests, and Jewish communities, most notably the arson attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green.
Did you know?
The GRU Volunteer Corps is a network of proxy formations specifically overseen by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. Its designation marks a shift in how the UK handles state-sponsored paramilitary activity.
Challenges in Dismantling Proxy Networks
While the designation is a significant legal step, security analysts warn that the underlying infrastructure of these groups remains a complex hurdle. Roger Macmillan, a former director for the Iranian diaspora site Iran International, noted that while proscription is the “right” decision, it represents only the “floor, not the ceiling” of necessary security measures.
Macmillan emphasized that the primary challenge involves the shadow networks supporting these organizations. This includes “front charities, the so-called Islamic centers and education centers that launder its ideology into British communities,” as well as online influencers who amplify state-aligned messaging. According to Macmillan, the success of the new legislation depends on whether the government provides the political will and resources required for police and security services to target these broader support networks rather than merely designating names on a schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalties for supporting the IRGC under the new law?
Supporting, inviting support for, or materially assisting the IRGC is now a criminal offense, with some charges carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Why was the National (State Threats) Bill 2026 necessary?
Existing legislation was limited to non-state terror groups. The new bill allows the UK to formally proscribe state-backed entities like the IRGC and the GRU VC, which were previously outside the scope of traditional terror laws.
What constitutes “material assistance” to these groups?
This includes any conduct that helps the organization carry out activities related to the UK, or the acceptance and retention of benefits provided by or on behalf of the proscribed entities.
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