UK Designates Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Allied Groups as Terror Organizations Amid Gulf Tensions

The UK government announced on Monday that it has officially designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. In a written statement to Parliament, UK Defense Secretary Angela Eagle stated that the UK identified IRGC-linked activities involving life-threatening threats and intimidation on British soil. Alongside the IRGC, the UK also labeled the Islamic Movement of the Right-wing Members, an Iran-affiliated group, as a terrorist organization following several attacks against the Jewish community in Britain.

Additionally, the Russian Volunteer Corps, an intelligence unit linked to the Russian military, was designated a terrorist group due to sabotage and hostile activities targeting the UK and Europe. This designation criminalizes any expression of support or assistance to these groups within the UK, prohibits aiding their operations, and bans receiving material benefits from them.

This announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region. Overnight, the US military conducted extensive strikes across Iran, targeting missile and drone sites, coastal radar installations, and small boats, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). A US official told The New York Times that dozens of strikes were carried out, fewer than the 140 strikes conducted on Saturday. The Strait of Hormuz remains open to maritime traffic.

Shortly after, Iran launched attacks against US targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Jordanian forces intercepted four missiles entering their airspace from Iran, while Kuwaiti forces engaged hostile aerial targets. The IRGC claimed to have struck the US base at Sheikh Isa in Bahrain as part of the second phase of their retaliatory operation.