Keir Starmer’s government has announced that it will use new powers to ban Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Security Minister Angela Eagle wrote in a written statement to Parliament that the United Kingdom has “uncovered IRGC-linked activity involving threats to life and threats on British soil”, reports Sky News.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously promised a swift process. Until now, the legislation has only allowed terrorist organisations to be proscribed, but not state-backed organisations, according to NTB-Reuters.

It is now therefore unlawful to encourage support for, or express an opinion supportive of, the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), assist it in carrying out activities connected with the United Kingdom, or act in a manner likely to provide it with substantial support.

The aim is to prevent individuals from promoting the interests and objectives of designated organisations, the statement said.

Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU) and the pro-Iranian militant group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (Hayi) will also be outlawed. The Hayi group has officially claimed responsibility for seven attacks against Jewish and Israeli communities in the United Kingdom.

Anyone who breaches the new law faces a sentence of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.