A group of former senior British intelligence officials has issued a rare public warning over the Government’s handling of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, criticising Sir Keir Starmer’s administration for failing to formally ban the organisation.
In a strongly worded intervention published in The Telegraph, retired leaders from MI6, MI5 and GCHQ said the Government’s position reflects an ongoing unwillingness to take what they describe as a necessary step to protect the UK.
They argued that proscribing the IRGC would both limit its activities domestically and send a clear signal that Britain is prepared to defend its security interests.
The former officials warned that continued inaction risks weakening the country’s strategic position, particularly at a time of heightened tensions involving Iran. They pointed to Tehran’s influence over key global shipping routes and its involvement in attacks on Western military assets as evidence of a growing threat environment.
Their comments come amid a series of recent security concerns in Britain linked to Iran. Earlier this week, a group with alleged Iranian connections claimed responsibility for an anti Semitic firebomb attack in north London. In a separate case, two Iranian nationals have been charged with offences relating to alleged surveillance of Jewish individuals in the capital.
The intervention is notable given the intelligence community’s tradition of avoiding public political criticism. The signatories acknowledged this, stating that speaking out is highly unusual but justified by what they see as a clear and present risk. They said Iranian operatives and their proxies are already active within the UK.
Sir Keir had previously indicated support for banning the IRGC while in opposition. Since entering government, however, his position has shifted, with ministers citing legal complications around proscribing entities that form part of a state apparatus. There are also concerns within Whitehall that such a move could further strain already limited diplomatic relations with Tehran.
The former intelligence chiefs dismissed both arguments in their Telegraph article. They suggested that legal obstacles should be addressed through legislative change, rather than used as a reason for delay. On diplomacy, they argued that Britain’s current influence over Iran is minimal, and that concerns about losing leverage are overstated.
They also highlighted that key Western allies, including the United States and European partners, have already designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. In their view, the UK’s reluctance risks creating an impression of inconsistency and weakness in its broader Iran policy.
Pressure on the Government has been building. Labour peer Lord Blunkett has called for faster progress on new laws that would allow state bodies such as the IRGC to be banned. Meanwhile, Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith has urged immediate action, arguing that the UK has failed to adequately confront the organisation.
Security analysts have warned that instability in the Middle East could lead to an increase in Iran linked activity in Britain. MI5 Director General Sir Ken McCallum revealed last year that more than 20 plots connected to Iran had been disrupted in a twelve month period, with expectations that the number could rise.
The IRGC, a powerful arm of Iran’s security structure, operates with direct allegiance to the country’s supreme leader and has been linked to operations abroad. Recent research cited in The Telegraph connects the group to more than 150 alleged plots across multiple countries in recent years. It has also been accused of targeting dissidents living overseas, including in the UK.
Despite mounting criticism, Sir Keir has defended the Government’s approach, pointing to existing sanctions against the IRGC. He has said that current laws are not designed to deal with state organisations, though he insists the issue remains under review.
Critics argue that this stance amounts to hesitation at a time when clarity is needed. While the Government has indicated support for developing new legal tools to address state linked threats, no clear timetable has been set, leaving questions over how quickly any new measures might be introduced.
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