Congresswoman Tenney Reiterates Call for the UK to Designate the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today led a letter alongside Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, David Lammy, calling for the United Kingdom to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Additional signers of the letter include Representatives Joe Wilson (SC-02), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Thomas Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Charles "Chuck" Fleischmann (TN-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Chris Smith (NJ-04), Mike Levin (CA-49), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rudy Yakym III (IN-02), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), and Gregory Steube (FL-17).

In 2019, the United States designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The IRGC acts as an extra-military force operating outside of and above Iran's traditional military channels. The IRGC carries out regime operations both inside and outside the country and provides direct support, weapons, training, and intelligence to terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

This letter follows a similar letter the lawmakers sent in May 2023, which called for United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Tenney's has also led efforts to encourage India, Australia, and Canada to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. As a result of these efforts, in June 2024, Canada designated the IRGC as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code.

"By designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization, the United Kingdom will send a powerful message that it stands united with its allies, like the United States and Canada, against the forces of extremism and terror. The IRGC's involvement in supporting terrorist organizations across the globe presents a direct threat to international peace and security, and I lead my colleagues in urging the UK to proscribe the IRGC as a terror organization. It is imperative that the UK joins its allies in taking decisive action to counter this destabilizing force," said Congresswoman Tenney.

"Iran is the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps not only spearheads Iran's campaign of terror but also empowers a network of proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, which threaten our allies and destabilize regions across the globe. By proscribing the IRGC, the United Kingdom would reaffirm its commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing global security. Our two nations share a deep, enduring partnership rooted in standing together against such threats. As Iran continues to fund and direct these violent groups, it's imperative that we send a unified message: terrorism, in any form, will not be tolerated. I commend the UK for considering this critical step and look forward to working closely with our allies to counter Iran's malign influence," said Congressman Schneider.

View the full text of the letter here.

###