The United Kingdom on Monday blamed an Iran-linked proxy group for a string of antisemitic arson attacks targeting British Jewish sites, prompting the government to ban Tehran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and impose sweeping new powers to crack down on foreign-backed sabotage.British officials said the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR) publicly claimed responsibility for seven attacks this year targeting Jewish and Israeli-linked locations, as well as a Persian-language media outlet critical of Iran's government.According to the U.K.
government, members of the IRGC's elite Qods Force were "almost certainly" directing the group's operations across Europe.The attacks included fires at synagogues, Jewish charity ambulances and other Jewish community sites in London.No injuries were reported.DESANTIS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO USE NEW STATE LAW TO TARGET DOZENS OF ALLEGED TERRORIST GROUPSBritain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks as he hosts a reception with the Jewish community to discuss efforts to tackle antisemitism, at Downing Street, in London, Britain, July 13, 2026.
(REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/Pool)Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the new measures send a clear message to foreign adversaries seeking to sow violence."We will never let Britain be a playground for states who want to spread fear, division and violence on our streets," Starmer said."Anyone acting on behalf of those who threaten our national security should be in no doubt that there is no place for you in Britain."Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center, hosts a reception with the Jewish community, to discuss efforts to tackle antisemitism, at Downing Street in London, England, Monday, July 13, 2026.
(Suzanne Plunkett/Pool Photo via AP)If Parliament approves the designations later this week, anyone carrying out acts of sabotage — including arson — on behalf of the IRGC, IMCR or Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps could face life imprisonment.Supporting or assisting t...