Dominic Penna, Political Correspondent and Charles Hymas Home Affairs Editor, 17 May 2025
The letter came after three Iranian former asylum seekers appeared in court on Saturday accused of spying for Tehran.
The IRGC coordinates a network of regional allies and proxies which includes Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah.
Labour is now facing fresh pressure to proscribe the group after David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, promised to do so during the party’s time in opposition.
Signatories to the letter include Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, and Lord Kinnock and Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Labour and Tory leaders.
The letter reads: “Appeasing this faltering regime betrays democratic values, emboldens its repressive policies, and undermines global security as Tehran continues its nuclear ambitions and terrorism.
“Given the regime’s complete blockade of all avenues for political activity, the international community must recognise the Iranian people’s right to regime change.
“The right of MEK [Mojahedin-e-Khalq] resistance units, who play a key role in this popular push for change, to fight the IRGC must also be acknowledged, and the IRGC should be designated as a terrorist organisation.”
It also notes that the human rights crisis in Iran is worsening. Volker Türk, the UN’s human rights chief, said 901 people were reportedly executed in Iran in 2025.
As well as making frequent use of the death penalty, the Iranian regime continues to enforce the mandatory wearing of the hijab and has suppressed attempts to protest against this. READ MORE