The United Kingdom has placed Iran, including its intelligence agencies, on the highest tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), requiring anyone acting on Iran’s behalf to register or face up to five years in prison.
U.K. Security Minister Dan Jarvis announced that the enhanced tier, effective by summer 2025, is part of a broader strategy to combat covert foreign interference. Iran is the first state to be placed on this tier, which requires transparency in political-influence activities.
Iran is the first state to be placed on this tier, which requires transparency in political-influence activities.
This policy comes in response to escalating concerns about Iranian influence in the United Kingdom. Jarvis specifically pointed out that Iran has been targeting Jewish and Israeli communities in the country. Furthermore, he said, that Iran has been using “intimidation and fear” to stifle criticism, a practice the government has condemned and vowed to defend against.
Potkin Azarmehr, a London-based journalist who left Iran after the 1979 revolution, warned that Iran’s influence operations “have become far more sophisticated, mastering how to exploit loopholes in democracy and Western societies’ commitment to religious tolerance. They have exploited loopholes in democracy and diversity, equity and inclusion policies, making it easier for them to operate. After 45 years, Iran has embedded agents now naturalized as British citizens, strengthening their influence.”
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme has two tiers. The first targets political-influence activities, requiring individuals or groups lobbying senior figures to register. The enhanced second tier applies to foreign powers like Iran, requiring transparency from those acting on its behalf.
Azarmehr highlighted a strength of FIRS: “For years, Iran has been able to embed its operatives and influence agents in the U.K. without consequence. Until now, security forces had no mandate to target these individuals unless they were directly involved in terrorist activities. However, the implementation of the Foreign Influence Register Scheme could change that—finally allowing authorities to expose and prosecute those working on behalf of Iran.”
The policy defines “direction” as an order or coercion from Iran, but does it fully capture influence operations, or could individuals claim to act independently despite Iranian influence?
The introduction of FIRS follows multiple concerns over Iran’s covert influence campaigns in the U.K., including cyberattacks, threats to Jewish and Israeli individuals, and attempts to silence critical media voices.
Azarmehr acknowledges that those operating on behalf of Iran will likely attempt to exploit such loopholes by “claiming they act of their own free will. However, the U.K. is already home to many individuals who openly and unapologetically push Iran’s influence. If the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme is properly implemented, no amount of legal maneuvering will shield them from scrutiny.”
The introduction of FIRS follows multiple concerns over Iran’s covert influence campaigns in the United Kingdom, including cyberattacks, threats to Jewish and Israeli individuals, and attempts to silence critical media voices. In addition to these measures, the government is also considering expanding its proscription powers to target state-backed organizations, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which have been linked to terrorism and other destabilizing activities but are not currently proscribed as terror groups.
Alongside this, attorney Jonathan Hall KC (King’s Counsel) has been appointed to review the United Kingdom’s counterterrorism framework, with a particular focus on how to address modern-day state threats like those posed by Iran. This review will examine how existing legal mechanisms could be adapted to provide more flexibility in dealing with state-linked groups that may not meet the current criteria for being listed as terrorist organizations.
Azarmehr expressed concerns about the government’s ability to enforce such policies, citing past inadequacies in handling proscribed groups and the risk of underprepared officers. He warns that enforcement remains a key issue. “Unfortunately, we already have numerous laws in place, but they are rarely enforced. Take proscribed groups, for example—many police officers are unaware of them, and they are often overlooked. That said, sporadic enforcement is better than none at all, making this a step in the right direction. However, critical details still need to be addressed—who decides, and what criteria determine if someone is acting on behalf of a hostile state?”
The U.K. government has also committed to bolstering security measures around Jewish schools, synagogues and other at-risk institutions in response to continued threats.
The introduction of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme marks a significant step in the United Kingdom’s efforts to combat foreign interference, safeguard national security and maintain the integrity of its political system. As part of the broader strategy, the U.K. government has also committed to bolstering security measures around Jewish schools, synagogues and other at-risk institutions in response to continued threats.
While the United States designated the IRGC as a terrorist group in 2019, the United Kingdom has been more resistant. Recent developments, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington, suggest the country is shifting its approach by placing Iran on the enhanced FIRS tier as a step toward confronting its influence.
Azarmehr concludes, “Iran being placed on the highest tier of the Foreign Influence Register highlights the seriousness and depth of Iranian influence in the U.K.”
Published originally under the title “The U.K.'s New Strategy Against Iranian Influence.”
