UK residents must declare if they are working for the Iranian state or face years behind bars.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis has revealed that Tehran’s oppressive regime and its spy network will soon face the strictest level of surveillance under a newly introduced program aimed at safeguarding Britain against external interference.
Individuals engaging in any form of “political influence activities” on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and its leaders will be required to register online or risk a steep penalty of five years of imprisonment.
Ministers hope that people considering working for oppressive Iran will think twice if it requires making a declaration to the UK government.
Mr Jarvis told the Commons he expects the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs) to be up and running by the summer.
He said: “The Iranian regime has become increasingly emboldened, asserting itself more aggressively to advance their objectives and undermine ours.
“Direct action against UK targets has substantially increased over recent years.
“It is clear that these plots are a conscious strategy of the Iranian regime to stifle criticism through intimidation and fear.”
Expressing grave concern, Mr. Jarvis highlighted that the Iranian regime, known for its aggressive tactics, is actively pursuing dissidents, journalists who cover its repressive actions, and even targeting the Jewish population and Israelis globally.
In the last year the number of state threat investigations being run by Mi6 has jumped by 48 per cent.
While Iran was announced as the first enemy state to secure a spot on the two-tiered scheme, the Security Minister refused to say which other countries will also join.
Pushed on why China has not been confirmed as being on the scheme’s “enhanced” tier, Mr Jarvis said: “Announcements with regard to Firs will be made in this House.
“Today’s announcement specifically relates to the decision we have taken on Iran, today’s announcement is specifically about that country and other announcements that are made with regard to Firs will be made in due course.”
The Security Minister also announced that terror law watchdog, Jonathan Hall KC, will draw up a new procedure to allow the proscription of state and state-linked organisations, including the IRGC.
Mr Jarvis said the UK’s current laws make it too difficult to proscribe Tehran’s spies while keeping critical and necessary lines of communication open between Britain and Iranian government officials.
Mr Hall’s work will give “specific consideration to the design of a proscription mechanism for state and state-linked bodies providing more flexibility than is offered under the existing powers”.
The Security Minister said: “We are utterly determined to stay ahead of those who threaten our country and any step that could aid us in that critical endeavour will be considered.”
All police forces in the UK will also be given training by counter-terror police in how to spot “state threat incidents”.
