support for the IRGC, from expressing a positive opinion to assisting it, would become an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
MI6 has been listed under an Iranian espionage law that bans cooperation with “the Zionist regime,” meaning Israel, and other “hostile countries.” The Navy and RAF were designated under legislation passed to counter the US designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.
The ministry claimed the steps were taken “within the framework of the principle of reciprocity” and added that the British government would “bear responsibility for the consequences of these measures”.