The UK government has imposed new sanctions on Iranian entities and individuals, targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and its operatives. These sanctions aim to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region and beyond.
Sanctions on IRGC Quds Force Unit 700
The UK Foreign Office has sanctioned IRGC Quds Force Unit 700, a secretive unit responsible for smuggling military equipment to Iran’s proxies in Syria and Lebanon. This unit was exposed by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan in June 2023. The sanctions accuse Unit 700 of involvement in hostile activities that aim to destabilize the UK and other countries.
Individuals Targeted
Three Iranian individuals have also been sanctioned:
- Hamid Fazeli: Former head of Iran’s Space Organization and current head of IRGC Quds Force Unit 340. Sanctioned for supporting armed groups intending to destabilize Israel
- Behnam Shahriyari: Accused of assisting in activities aimed at destabilizing Israel, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon
- Abdolfatah Ahvazian: An advisor to the IRGC Quds Force commander, sanctioned for involvement in activities threatening the UK and other countries.
Reasons for Sanctions
The UK government cites various reasons for these sanctions:
- Involvement in hostile activities by Iran-backed armed groups
- Threatening, planning, or conducting activities to undermine the security of multiple countries
- Providing material support to organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah
Broader Context
These sanctions come amid growing concerns about Iran’s regional activities and potential threats to international security. In October 2023, MI5 warned that Iran might be exploring new ways to threaten UK security in the context of the Hamas-Israel conflict. Despite these targeted sanctions, the UK has not designated the entire IRGC as a terrorist organization, a decision that has faced some criticism.
