UK expands sanctions against Iranian individuals over security threats
The UK is tightening pressure on Iran after what it describes as continued hostile activity targeting Britain and its international partners. The measures include summoning Iran's ambassador in London and imposing sanctions on two Iranian nationals linked to alleged overseas attack planning.
Highlights
- UK designates Ruhollah Bazghandi and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki for asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification over hostile activity for Iran.
- Ed Miliband instructs summoning of Iranian ambassador, reaffirming zero tolerance for Iranian regime-linked threats against UK security.
- UK identified at least 15 Iranian-backed kidnap or kill plots in 2022–2023, expects over 20 in 2025, and has sanctioned the IRGC and more than 550 Iranian targets.
Sanctions measures and diplomatic response
As reported by GOV.UK, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband says the government is designating two Iranian nationals for their role in facilitating or engaging in hostile activity on behalf of the Iranian regime. He also says he has instructed his department to summon the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UK to restate that Britain will not tolerate threats on its soil.The two individuals named are Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified as head of counterespionage operations within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described as a facilitator of the Zindashti criminal network involved in several plots against Iranian dissidents. They are now subject to an immediate asset freeze, travel ban and director disqualification.
Security context and wider Iran measures
The government says Iran's use of criminal networks, proxy groups and state-backed activity to undermine security remains unacceptable. Miliband says the UK will continue to act against what it calls threats linked to Tehran and will maintain its commitment to protecting national security.The UK says it identified at least 15 credible Iranian-backed threats to kill or kidnap individuals in the UK between 2022 and 2023, and that this rises to more than 20 in 2025. It adds that it has introduced a broader package of countermeasures, including sanctioning the IRGC in its entirety and more than 550 Iranian individuals and entities.
Our earlier article on Iran’s review of Washington’s response on reopening the Strait of Hormuz explained that talks were effectively stalled by unmet Iranian conditions and the U.S. demand to address Iran’s nuclear program first. We also noted Tehran’s stated willingness to support Saudi-Yemeni dialogue as Saudi Arabia faced escalating Houthi drone and missile attacks, underscoring how Iran-linked tensions can spill over into wider security measures and international warnings.
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