Security Minister Dan Jarvis announced a string of measures to tackle the ‘growing threat’ posed by Iran – with 20 plots putting lives at risk thwarted in recent years
Tough new laws to jail criminals carrying out the orders of the Iranian regime in the UK have been announced – as MPs were warned of the “growing threat” it poses.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis announced the Government is looking at ways of applying anti-terrorism laws to the entire state – making it possible to proscribe Iran and its intelligence services in the same way as terror groups.
All police forces will be given specific training to respond to plots from hostile governments, he said. Mr Jarvis told the Commons: “The regime has become increasingly emboldened, asserting itself more aggressively to advance their objectives and undermine ours. This is evidenced by the fact that direct action against UK targets has substantially increased in recent years.”
The Home Office minister said that since 2022, 20 Iranian-backed plots putting the lives of British citizens or UK residents at risk had been foiled. He said the number of state-level investigations run by MI5 had jumped by 48% in the past year.
Mr Jarvis said: “It’s clear that these plots are are a conscious strategy of the Iranian regime to stifle criticism through intimidation and fear.”
He announced the whole of the Iranian state is being placed on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS). This means anyone acting on behalf or Iran will be required by law to declare it.
If they fail to do so, they face five years behind bars, Mr Jarvis said. “They will face a choice: expose their actions to the Government or face jail,” the minister told MPs. He added that the Government has ordered a review of existing counter-terror laws to see if they can be widened to include foreign states.
Mr Jarvis said: “Let there be no doubt – we’re utterly determined to stay ahead of those who threaten our country.”
He told the Commons that the National Crime Agency was monitoring people suspected of assisting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, including those laundering money in the UK on its behalf. Mr Jarvis also told MPs he welcoms the Charity Commission’s statutory inquiries into the Islamic Centre of England, and the Al-Tawheed (TUCF) Charitable Trust.
This is part of a bid to tackle “those who promote Iranian influence in the UK”, MPs heard.