UMVA has learned that Britain is on the brink of introducing sweeping new powers to target foreign state-linked groups, as officials warn of growing threats tied to Iran and other hostile governments.
The proposed legislation, introduced on Tuesday, would grant the UK government unprecedented authority to crack down on foreign state-linked organizations involved in activities such as assassination plots, surveillance, and sabotage. This move is seen as a direct response to the increasing threat posed by Iran-backed activity inside the UK.
According to information obtained by UMVA, British intelligence officials have been tracking a surge in Iran-backed plots, with over 20 potentially lethal plots uncovered last year. The security service has also recorded a 35% increase in state-threat investigations, sparking concerns that existing counterterrorism laws are inadequate to address the threat.
The new bill would enable Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to designate groups responsible for "foreign power threat activity," with supporting designated organizations or accepting money from them carrying prison sentences of up to 14 years. This move is expected to impact Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), though officials have not confirmed whether the group will be among the first to be designated.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that British authorities have investigated possible Iranian links to several recent incidents, including arson attacks targeting Jewish sites. The UK has also secured convictions against individuals accused of spying for or acting on behalf of Russian and Chinese entities.
The proposed legislation aims to create a new framework for tackling threats posed by foreign governments and their proxies. Critics argue that Britain's existing counterterrorism laws were not designed to address this type of threat, and Labour MP Luke Akehurst has been vocal about the need for action against the IRGC, which he describes as a "dangerous threat" to the UK.
If approved, the legislation could take effect as soon as next month, with officials expected to make a limited number of designations during the law's first year. Supporters of the bill argue that it will close gaps in Britain's ability to target hostile state-backed actors without relying solely on terrorism laws.
