UK sanctions Iran-linked group over attacks on Jewish sites

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UK sanctions Iran-linked group

Highlights

UK imposes sanctions on the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right after the group claims responsibility for seven attacks on Jewish, Israeli, and Persian-linked sites.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper directly links IMCR to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force and cites attacks across Europe and in the UK between March and May.
Sanctions against IMCR and IRGC tighten the UK's security and compliance framework, heightening scrutiny for organisations exposed to Iran-linked proxy activity.

Government action targets proxy network

As reported by UK government, citing OFSI, the UK is announcing sanctions on the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, or IMCR, after Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says the organisation publicly claims responsibility for seven attacks on locations linked to Jewish and Israeli communities, as well as Persian-language media.

Cooper says Iran continues attempts to undermine the safety and security of the UK through criminal networks and proxy groups, despite repeated warnings. She says the sanctions follow her update to Parliament that a series of attacks takes place across Europe and in the UK between March and May, and that members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force are almost certainly behind IMCR and direct its attacks across Europe.

The statement also cites the antisemitic arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green in March as one of the incidents linked to the group. Cooper says she has summoned the Iranian ambassador to condemn Tehran's behaviour and to reiterate the UK's position at the highest levels.

Security and compliance implications for the UK

The announcement adds to broader government action to designate both the IRGC and IMCR, tightening the UK's sanctions and national security framework against Iran-linked actors. The measures signal a tougher enforcement stance toward organisations accused of carrying out proxy operations on British soil.

For communities and institutions linked to Jewish and Israeli groups, the sanctions underscore the government's stated priority of strengthening protection amid ongoing antisemitic threats. The case also highlights growing security and compliance risks for organisations that may be exposed to foreign-backed criminal networks operating in the UK and wider Europe.

Our earlier coverage of U.S. sanctions targeting ransomware-enabling infrastructure explained how authorities moved against a VPN provider, its administrator, and a malware “cryptor” seller accused of helping cybercriminals hide operations and deploy attacks. We noted the coordinated UK element and highlighted the compliance impact, including asset-blocking rules and expanded transaction prohibitions that can affect both direct designees and entities they control.

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