During a House of Commons debate on May 15, 2025, focused on sanctions implementation, Members of Parliament highlighted the escalating threats posed by the clerical regime in Iran. Wendy Morton (Conservative) reaffirmed that many of the UK’s sanctions, originally introduced under a Conservative government, remain active and are aligned with US efforts to counter the regime’s destabilizing influence in the Middle East.
Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, drew particular attention to new sanctions announced on April 14, 2025. These targeted the Sweden-based Foxtrot criminal network—backed by Tehran—and its leader, Rawa Majid, for their involvement in violent attacks across Europe, including threats to Jewish and Israeli communities.
Doughty also emphasized the UK’s response to Iran’s supply of ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine and reiterated the country’s commitment to preventing Iran’s regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. He affirmed the UK’s readiness to invoke the UN’s snapback sanctions mechanism if needed.
“We remain determined that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon, and we are committed to using all tools available to ensure that, including using the UN sanctions snapback mechanism, if necessary,” he said.
#Iran News: UK Parliament Report Highlights Regime's Diminishing Influence in the #MiddleEasthttps://t.co/FAXf5AXz16
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 30, 2025
Expanding Sanctions to Counter Iran’s Global Reach
The UK’s sanctions regime against Iran is one of the most extensive globally. It addresses a wide range of issues, including:
- Nuclear and military programs: Under the Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023, the UK enforces sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and other destabilizing conduct.
- Criminal proxies in Europe: The April 2025 designation of the Foxtrot Network imposed asset freezes, travel bans, and director disqualifications. This move targeted Iranian-backed organized crime and intimidation campaigns across Europe.
- Human rights and terrorism: To date, over 450 individuals and entities linked to Iran have been sanctioned for human rights violations, nuclear proliferation, and terror plots—including attempts to kidnap or kill British nationals.
- Increased scrutiny of influence operations: Starting July 2025, Iran will be placed on the enhanced tier of the UK’s Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), aimed at curbing covert Iranian activities in the UK.
#Iran News: #UK Parliament Debates Actions to Counter Iranian Regime’s Destabilizing Activitieshttps://t.co/F1r6RXitee
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 16, 2025
A History of Targeting the IRGC and Its Elite Quds Force
While current sanctions include criminal networks, the UK has previously imposed restrictions on the IRGC and its Quds Force. These sanctions were motivated by their involvement in:
- Iran’s nuclear weapons development and ballistic missile program.
- Support for proxy militias fueling conflict throughout the Middle East.
- Direct orchestration of terrorist plots and malign influence operations on UK and European soil.
UK enforcement agencies have targeted IRGC-linked money laundering and illicit financing operations. These efforts are ongoing and seek to cut off financial lifelines that enable Iran’s aggressive foreign policy.
#Iran News:
UK Parliament Report Reiterates Snapback Sanctions as an Option for Iran’s #Nuclear Programhttps://t.co/1Lb4blfsby— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) October 6, 2024
The Case for Blacklisting the IRGC
Despite existing sanctions, there is mounting pressure for the UK to go further by formally designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The rationale is clear:
- Direct Threats in the UK: Since 2022, the UK has responded to over 20 Iran-backed plots targeting British citizens and residents. These include attempted assassinations, kidnappings, and attacks on Jewish communities, many orchestrated by IRGC or Quds Force operatives.
- Malign Global Operations: The IRGC, through the Quds Force and networks like Foxtrot, carries out extraterritorial operations that include violence, intimidation, and subversion. Blacklisting would send a strong signal of zero tolerance for such state-sponsored terrorism.
- Nuclear and Military Escalation: As the backbone of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, the IRGC poses a strategic threat to UK and allied interests. Sanctioning it would bolster international pressure on Tehran.
- Alignment with Allies: A formal IRGC designation would align UK policy with the United States and parts of the European Union, increasing the impact of multilateral sanctions and strengthening collective diplomatic leverage.
- Community Protection: UK-based dissidents, Jewish citizens, and political activists have faced persistent threats. Blacklisting the IRGC would enable more robust enforcement measures and enhanced protection for at-risk communities.