The Labour government has today placed the entire Iranian state, including its intelligence services and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, onto the highest tier of the new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS).
Security Minister Dan Jarvis today confirmed that the FIRS scheme will require “the registration of arrangements to carry out political influence activities in the UK at the direction of a foreign power.”
The “enhanced” tier will allow a senior minister to require certain countries register a broader range of activities to protect Britain’s interests.
“We will place the whole of the Iranian state, including Iran’s intelligence services, the IRGC and MOIS (Ministry of Intelligence), on to the enhanced tier of the new foreign influence registration scheme,” Jarvis told parliament.
“This action will mean that those who are directed by Iran to conduct activities in the UK, such as criminal proxies, must register that activity, whatever it is, or face five years in prison.
“They will face a choice, expose their actions to the government or face jail.”
Jarvis also announced that Jonathan Hall KC has been asked to review the UK’s counter-terrorism framework in relation to “modern day state threats, such as those from Iran.”
Welcoming the announcement to tackle the threat from Iran, Labour Friends of Israel chair Jon Pearce MP said:“The Iranian regime brutally suppresses its own people, represents a clear and present danger to security and prosperity in the Middle East, and poses a growing danger to the UK – from attempted assassinations and plots on British streets, threatening the Jewish community, and aiding Putin’s war against Ukraine.
“That’s why the government is absolutely right to take this strong action today, adding Iran to the foreign influence registration scheme and announcing a review of proscription powers for state-backed groups.
“For too long the Tories were far too soft on Tehran, failing to proscribe the IRGC or institute meaningful action against the regime. Under Labour, Iran can be in no doubt about the UK’s conviction to tackle the threat posed by this terror regime.”
