The UK government has announced that supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will become a criminal offence under new national security measures, with offenders facing up to 14 years in prison.

The move follows the designation of the IRGC as a national security threat under new powers introduced through the National Security (State Threats) Act.

The measures also apply to the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and the Volunteer Corps, a group linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU).

Under the new framework, providing assistance to or expressing support for the designated organizations will be a criminal offence if approved by Parliament.

The legislation also expands the powers of police and intelligence agencies to investigate espionage, foreign interference, sabotage and other state-backed hostile activities. It removes the requirement for prosecutors to prove a direct foreign-state link in certain cases, making prosecutions easier.

The UK government said the changes are intended to strengthen national security and counter the growing use of proxy groups by foreign states. If approved by Parliament, the new measures are expected to take effect later this week.