Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Iran: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Tuesday 14 March 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK will continue to hold the Iranian regime, including the IRGC, accountable for its repression and has imposed sanctions on individuals involved in repressing women in Iran.
  • The IRGC is already sanctioned in its entirety, and security forces take action against illegal activities.
  • The UK Government does not routinely speculate on future designations regarding the IRGC.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the Iranian regime's repression and the IRGC's activity in the region, including threats to Europe.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the implications for policies due to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' role in Iran's internal repression and regional activity?

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK will continue to hold the Iranian regime, including the IRGC, accountable for its repression. Sanctions have been imposed on individuals involved in repressing women in Iran, and sanctions are ongoing against the IRGC.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific evidence required before proscribing the IRGC was not addressed directly.

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Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Context

The questioner highlights clear evidence of the IRGC's brutality in Iran and malign influence in the region, including links to Russia.

Question

Given the clear evidence of the IRGC's brutality towards women and its wider malign influence, how much more evidence is needed before proscribing the IRGC?

Answer from James Cleverly

The IRGC is already sanctioned in its entirety. Security forces take action against illegal activities, but future designations are not routinely discussed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact steps required before proscribing the IRGC were not specified.

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Q3 John Cryer Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns about the IRGC being recognised as a threat by both sides of the House, but no action taken to proscribe it.

Question

Like the hon. Member for Buckingham, I have repeatedly asked about proscribing the IRGC, which is widely seen as a group that tortures and murders women. Why has the Foreign Secretary not taken this final step?

Answer from James Cleverly

Actions are taken based on principles of deterring malign activity and protecting British citizens. The UK Government does not routinely speculate on future designations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The final step to proscribe the IRGC was not addressed directly.

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