Iran has become the first foreign power to be placed on the enhanced tier of the UK's Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), meaning individuals linked to the Iranian state must

register their presence or risk imprisonment.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis announced that Iran, including its IRGC intelligence services and Ministry of Intelligence and Security, is now subject to stricter regulations under the scheme. This move requires anyone acting on behalf of the Iranian state and engaging in "political influence activities" in the UK to register with the government.

Failure to comply is a criminal offence and could result in up to five years in prison.

Strengthening protections against foreign influence

FIRS has two tiers designed to bolster the UK's defenses against covert foreign influence. The first level applies to political activities involving communication with senior UK officials, including ministers, MPs, and high-ranking civil servants. The enhanced tier, which now applies to Iran, introduces even stricter requirements.

Jarvis emphasized that the scheme, which he described as "a critical disruptive tool for the UK," will be operational by summer.

Review of UK counter-terror laws

Jonathan Hall KC, the UK's independent state threat and terrorism legislation reviewer, has been tasked with evaluating the counter-terrorism framework. His review will assess how the UK can better address threats from state and state-linked entities, such as those associated with Iran.

Currently, the IRGC has been sanctioned by the UK but is not officially designated as a terrorist organization. Calls for its proscription have been growing.

Increased training for UK police

To enhance national security, the government is providing all 45 UK police forces with specialized training on identifying and responding to state threats. Counter-terrorism policing units will offer guidance to ensure law enforcement is equipped to handle such risks.

Iran’s targeting of Jewish and Israeli communities

In October, MI5’s chief revealed that the agency had disrupted 20 Iran-backed plots in the UK since early 2022.

Jarvis stated that Iran has been specifically targeting Jewish and Israeli individuals in the UK, as well as Persian-language media outlets critical of the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of attempting to "stifle criticism through intimidation and fear," vowing that the UK will take action to defend against such threats. Photo by Ninara from Helsinki, Finland, Wikimedia commons.