Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Iran summons UK ambassador over Revolutionary Guards ban plan
Iran's foreign ministry summoned Britain's ambassador to Tehran to protest the UK government's plan to ban the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian state media reported.
State news agency IRNA said Hugo Shorter, Britain's ambassador to Tehran, was summoned on Wednesday after Britain placed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps under the State Threats Prevention Act. Iran's foreign ministry said the move was unjustified and would not go unanswered. IRNA said Iran would give a reciprocal and decisive response.
The UK government announced on Monday that it planned to ban the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a threat to national security. It also announced action against an Iran-linked group accused of attacks against the Jewish community.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said anyone found supporting or assisting the listed groups could face up to 14 years in prison. The proposed law is due to be presented to parliament this week.
The planned list would also include proxies and volunteers of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, and the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right. The source described the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right as an Iran-linked group that has claimed attacks on Jewish properties in London.
The legislation would give the British government what the Home Office called "proscription-like" powers to designate foreign state proxies considered a threat to Britain's national security. The Home Office said the measure would increase the government's ability to counter state threats linked to foreign powers, including espionage, foreign interference in democracy, sabotage and physical attacks.
The announcement followed several antisemitic attacks in London earlier this year, including arson attacks on synagogues, community ambulances and other Jewish sites.
Update
Iran's foreign ministry said the UK move would not go unanswered.
IRNA said Iran would make a reciprocal and decisive response.
The UK plan also covers an Iran-linked group accused of attacks against the Jewish community.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said anyone found supporting or assisting the listed groups could face up to 14 years in prison.
The proposed law is to be presented to parliament this week.
The proposed banned groups would also include proxies and volunteers of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency and the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right.
The Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right is described as an Iran-linked group that has claimed attacks on Jewish properties in London.
The new legislation would give the British government proscription-like powers to designate foreign state proxies deemed a threat to national security.
The Home Office said the move would strengthen the government's ability to counter state threats including espionage, foreign interference, sabotage and physical attacks.
The announcement followed several antisemitic attacks in London earlier this year, including arson attacks on synagogues, community ambulances and other Jewish sites.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 19:29:44 UTC.
Update
Iranian state media identified the British ambassador as Hugo Shorter.
IRNA said the summons concerned Britain's placing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps under the State Threats Prevention Act.
IRNA reported that Iran said the move would receive a reciprocal and decisive response.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 19:16:52 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source describes the UK ban as a planned measure, with the proposed law still to be presented to parliament.
Source
AFP news report published on .