The United Kingdom is expected to formally declare Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization following reports of at least 10 alleged plots to kidnap or murder British citizens last year, according to The Telegraph U.K. on Monday. The measure would essentially ban the terrorist group from all operations.
U.K. officials have been building the case against the IRGC since last year, and the designation will be officially announced within weeks, according to the Telegraph report.
Government and security officials allegedly shared intelligence about the group, citing that the plot was intended to retaliate against British citizens for their suspected involvement in protests throughout the Islamic Republic.
Banning the organization means it will be considered a criminal offense in the U.K. for one to belong to the group, attend its meetings, publicly carry the IRGC flag and logo – containing a distinctive automatic-gun insignia – or to support any of its activities.
British Parliament Member Stephen Crabb, chairman of Conservative Friends of Israel, said that banning the IRGC is a welcome move.
"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is playing a key role supporting and facilitating the Iranian regime's destabilizing activities in the Middle East and beyond," Crabb said.
Some believe that banning the IRGC will hinder Britain's attempt to sign any new nuclear deal with Iran, particularly because Iranian politicians and officials have defended the IRGC in the past as a "legitimate extension" of the state.
Former President Donald Trump's administration labeled the IRGC a "foreign terrorist organization" in April 2019. The Biden administration has continued with the designation.
The IRGC was initially established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution but later transformed into a powerful military, political, and economic force. It controls Iran's armed and intelligence forces and has been known to support militant groups in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, among others.
This article originally appeared on ALL ARAB NEWS and is reposted with permission.