The UK’s Crackdown on Iran: From Espionage to Terror Finance
Cracking Down on Iran—But What About Qatar?
In a significant escalation of its stance against Tehran, the UK government has unveiled its most aggressive measures yet to counter Iranian influence within its borders. From espionage to financial networks, Iran’s covert operations in the UK have long been a growing concern, and now, British authorities are taking decisive action to dismantle them. But what does this mean in practical terms, and how will it impact the UK’s security landscape?
Iran Officially Designated a Security Threat
For the first time, the UK is classifying the entire Iranian state—including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian intelligence services—as a foreign influence risk. This is part of a new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), designed to track and regulate individuals or entities acting on behalf of foreign states. Those who fail to register could face up to five years in prison.
This move brings Iran into a new category of national security threats and signals a shift in British policy toward greater transparency and accountability in foreign state activities.
Crackdown on Iran’s Proxies and Intelligence Networks
Iran has increasingly relied on proxy groups and criminal elements to conduct operations abroad. According to UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis, anyone found working for Iran—whether as a spy, recruiter, or operative—now faces a stark choice: disclose their activities or risk serious legal consequences.
The UK is making it clear that it will no longer tolerate Iranian intelligence operatives or their collaborators operating within its borders. This could also have broader implications for diplomatic relations, as Iranian-linked individuals may face arrest or expulsion.
MI5’s Growing Concerns: Iran’s Expanding Threats
British intelligence agencies have been raising alarms about Iranian plots for years, and now those warnings are being met with action. Since 2022, MI5 and counterterrorism police have thwarted at least 20 Iran-backed plots against UK citizens, marking a sharp increase in threats emanating from Tehran.
MI5 has reported a 48% rise in state-level investigations, with Iran increasingly leveraging organized crime networks and private intelligence operatives to pursue its objectives. The scale and boldness of these operations suggest that Tehran views Britain as a key battleground in its broader geopolitical struggle.
Targeting Iran’s Financial Operations in the UK
Beyond espionage, Iran’s influence has extended into the financial sector. The National Crime Agency has been tasked with investigating IRGC-linked money laundering operations, a crucial component of Iran’s ability to fund clandestine activities abroad.
Additionally, UK authorities are scrutinizing charities suspected of promoting Iranian interests, including the Islamic Centre of England and the Al-Tawheed Trust. By cracking down on these financial conduits, the UK aims to cut off Tehran’s ability to bankroll its operations in Britain.
Private Intelligence Firms Under Pressure
One of the most notable aspects of the UK’s crackdown is its warning to private intelligence and security firms. Companies providing investigative or surveillance services are now under strict scrutiny, with clear penalties for those found working for hostile states such as Iran, China, or Russia.
Private investigators, security contractors, and intelligence operatives who collaborate with foreign governments on espionage or surveillance of dissidents could now face up to 14 years in prison. This marks a significant escalation in the UK’s efforts to curb foreign interference through non-state actors.
Will the UK Finally Ban the IRGC?
While many have called for the IRGC to be formally designated as a terrorist organization, the UK has so far refrained from taking that step. However, new legal frameworks are being explored that could lead to the proscription of hostile states and their security agencies.
This could pave the way for an eventual full IRGC ban—an outcome long advocated by lawmakers and security experts who argue that Tehran’s elite military force is directly involved in terrorism and destabilization efforts worldwide.
But even if the UK does move to proscribe the IRGC, will that be enough? One major gap remains: Qatar. The Gulf state has long been financing and sheltering terrorist, as well as extremist groups across the west. Despite mounting evidence of Qatari involvement in funding terror networks, the UK has yet to take meaningful action against Doha.
No crackdown on Iran’s influence can be fully effective unless the UK also addresses the role of Qatar. Without tackling the financial and political networks that enable Tehran’s operations, the latest measures may only scratch the surface of the problem.
