UK will designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group
The brutal violence employed by the Iranian regime's authorities against its own people deserves strong and firm action by the international community. According to Iran Human Rights, at least 476 people have been killed since the protests began last September following the murder of the young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. In addition, at least a hundred protesters face the death penalty.
Many of those arrested by security forces have reported torture - both physical and psychological - threats and sexual abuse. For these reasons, Iranians are demanding that international governments impose sanctions on the regime's political and military elite, as well as the suspension of all relations with Tehran.
Video shows IRGC forces attacking houses of civilians in Kurdish city of #Javanrud and brutally arrest families. More than 50 military trucks have arrived in Javanrud for arrest and transporting people to prisons. #jinaamini pic.twitter.com/6f2fgZyexm
— Afshin Ismaeli (@Afshin_Ismaeli) January 3, 2023
For the moment, countries such as Canada have already taken action in response to the brutal crackdown. Ottawa has sanctioned the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard, preventing its members from entering the country. In Europe, the Italian government has recalled the Iranian ambassador for consultations, while German, Dutch and Swedish politicians have begun a campaign to 'sponsor' prisoners facing execution.
In this regard, the UK is likely to designate the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group. As The Telegraph reveals, Rishi Sunak's government will announce the move within weeks. The British newspaper also reports that Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and Home Secretary Suella Braverman support officially declaring the Iranian group a terrorist organisation.
Every Friday, people of #Zahedan gather to chant against this child-murdering regime and its ruthless rulers. Look at their sheer number. This regime must go #IranRevoIution
— Masih Alinejad ?️ (@AlinejadMasih) December 30, 2022
pic.twitter.com/yfftq1eRZE
In the event that London finally announces such a move, it would become a criminal offence to belong to the Revolutionary Guard, attend its meetings or wear its logo in public.
The UK government is considering this possibility shortly after the Revolutionary Guards arrested seven people with links to the UK for participating in the protests. Prime Minister Sunak himself urged Tehran to stop arresting dual nationals, stressing that arrests should not be made with the aim of gaining 'diplomatic leverage'.
In Iran on the night leading to the death anniversary of former IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani — the culprit of many deaths, destruction & chaos in Iran & abroad. pic.twitter.com/IqThMRxBpM
— Samira Ghaderi (@Samira_Ghaderi) January 2, 2023
Already last November, the head of the UK's security and intelligence services - IM5 - Ken McCallum mentioned the threats posed by Iran during a speech. "Iran projects a threat to the UK directly, through its aggressive intelligence services," McCallum said. The MI5 director referred to the abductions and assassinations of "British or UK-based individuals perceived to be enemies of the regime". According to McCallum, the intelligence services have identified 10 such potential threats since January last year.
In addition to seeking to destabilise other countries or the Middle East region itself, the Revolutionary Guards are responsible for the death and torture of many Iranian citizens. Through the Basij, a militia under the organisation, the Revolutionary Guard has killed hundreds of protesters and brutally suppressed protests.
The IRGC is sanctioned by the UK in its entirety.
— James Cleverly?? (@JamesCleverly) December 27, 2022
We will hold the tyrants in Iran to account. pic.twitter.com/fgEWOEvjT8
As a result, even the European Union is considering declaring the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist group. Last October, in the midst of the unrest, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that both Brussels and Berlin were "examining" this possibility.
The US is one of the nations that already considers the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organisation. Indeed, removing it from Washington's list of designated terrorists was one of Tehran's main demands during talks to return to the nuclear deal.
