The British government has placed Iran and its intelligence agencies on the highest tier of the United Kingdom’s Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which would require any person or organization acting on Iran’s behalf to register or face a five-year prison sentence.
Dan Jarvis, the UK’s Minister of Security, announced that Iran’s placement on the highest tier of FIRS would become effective by the summer of 2025. This policy is part of the UK’s broader strategy to combat covert foreign interference.
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme has two tiers. The first targets political influence activities, requiring individuals and groups lobbying senior officials to register with the British government. The second, higher tier applies to foreign countries, demanding transparency from those acting on their behalf.
Iran is the first state to be applied to the second tier, and the policy comes in response to increasing concerns about Iranian influence in the United Kingdom. Jarvis specifically pointed out that the Iranian regime has been targeting Jewish and Israeli communities in the UK and has been using “intimidation and fear“ to stifle criticism against the Islamic Republic, something the British government has strongly condemned and promised to defend against.
In addition to placing Iran on the second tier of the FIRS, the British government is also looking to expand its proscription powers to go after state-backed organizations, such as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which had been linked to terrorism and other destabilizing activities but are not currently categorized as terrorist entities.
The United States designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization in 2019, but the United Kingdom has been more resistant to enacting similar policies. However, recent developments, such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to the United States, suggest the country is changing its approach by placing Iran on the second tier of the FIRS as a step towards confronting its influence.
Jonathan Hall KC has also been appointed as the British government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation. This review will focus on the country’s counterterrorism laws and policies and on how to deal with modern-day threats posed by entities such as Iran.
Aside from these steps, the United Kingdom has also committed to bolstering security measures around Jewish schools, synagogues, and other institutions considered at high risk of threats from Iran and other entities.
Potkin Azarmehr, a London-based journalist who fled Iran following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, warned that Iran’s operations in the United Kingdom “have become far more sophisticated, mastering how to exploit loopholes in democracy and Western societies’ commitment to religious tolerance,“ adding that “they have exploited loopholes in democracy and diversity, equity and inclusion policies, making it easier for them to operate. After 45 years, Iran has embedded agents now naturalized as British citizens, strengthening their influence.“
Azarmehr also highlighted the strength of FIRS and welcomed Iran’s designation in its second tier, saying that “for years, Iran has been able to embed its operatives and influence agents in the U.K. without consequence.“
“Until now, security forces had no mandate to target these individuals unless they were directly involved in terrorist activities,“ Azarmehr said. “However, the implementation of the Foreign Influence Register Scheme could change that — finally allowing authorities to expose and prosecute those working on behalf of Iran.“
“Iran being placed on the highest tier of the Foreign Influence Register highlights the seriousness and depth of Iranian influence in the U.K.,“ Azarmehr concluded.
