Statement from the Foreign Secretary on the sanctioning of Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR).
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
Despite repeated warnings, Iran has continued in its attempts to undermine the safety and security of the UK through its use of criminal networks and proxy groups.
We are clear that we will not tolerate foreign-backed threats that target the UK or our allies. That's why we are today going one step further and announcing sanctions on the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), otherwise known as HAYI, an organisation who have publicly claimed responsibility for seven attacks at UK locations linked to Jewish and Israeli communities, and Persian-language media, including the antisemitic arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green in March.
Today's action follows my update to Parliament, where I set out that between March and May, there were a series of attacks across Europe and in the UK, and that sitting behind IMCR were members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force, who almost certainly directed IMCR attacks across Europe.
This government will never stop in its commitment to protect the Jewish community, and we continue to work urgently to stamp out vile antisemitism from our streets. I have summoned the Iranian Ambassador to reiterate this at the highest levels of the Iranian system and to condemn Iran's malign behaviour.
Today's announcement builds on action set out by the government today to designate the IRGC and the IMCR. The UK Government will continue to hold the Iranian regime, and those acting on its behalf, to account to protect national security and keep the British people safe.
Notes:
- Foreign Secretary Written Ministerial Statement on State Threats, 13 July: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
- Since the start of 2022, the UK has responded to more than 20 Iran-backed plots, presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents.
- Today's designations were made under the 2023 Iran Sanctions Regulations, which came into force in December 2023: Iran sanctions: guidance - GOV.UK
- The UK has more than 550 sanctions designations in place on Iranian individuals and entities in response to the regime's human rights violations, nuclear escalation and malign influence internationally. Over 240 designations have been imposed since this Government came into office.
The following organisation is today sanctioned by the UK and is subject to an asset freeze :
- Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR)
Definitions:
- Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world.
- The UK has sanctioned the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) as there are reasonable ground to suspect IMCR involvement in hostile activity by the Government of Iran, including activity undermining the security of the UK and other countries and attacks against persons and assets in the United Kingdom or another country.
