Tag Archives: iran protests

Iran: back the people, isolate the regime

Britain should stand with Iran’s protesters, not the regime. That means targeted pressure, democratic solidarity, and practical steps that actually bite.

Here’s what those practical steps should look like:

Proscribe the IRGC

We must treat the Revolutionary Guard as the terrorist apparatus it is. This means proscribing the group and closing loopholes that allow intimidation and fundraising networks to operate in Britain.

Expand targeted sanctions and sanction evasion

Britain must pursue the asset freezes and travel bans of regime officials, security leaders, and enablers of the regime. To ensure these sanctions hit, greater emphasis must be placed on cracking down on attempts to evade them, including but not limited to shipping, insurers, shell companies, and financial networks facilitating revenue flows.

Supporting communication access

The UK government must work to ensure internet resilience across Iran by enabling access to satellite internet via lawful procurement routes, coordinating with international partners, and supporting trusted NGOs involved in distribution. The UK must also look into the use and funding of circumvention services that allow Iranians to continue using the internet, like Psiphon and Tor bridges. We must also look to pay for this infrastructure to keep it resilient against regime tampering and develop a rapid adaptation plan when the regime blocks a route.

Enabling NGOs to get the truth out

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged | 7 Comments
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Recent Comments

  • theakes
    But we have to attack them and not be generous in any way otherwise they will eventually see us off under different leadership....
  • Mick Taylor
    When the Victorians wanted to build a railway, a canal, a sewerage system etc, they gave all the necessary permissions, compulsory purchase orders, financial au...
  • Pawel Urbanski
    @Jana thank you, and fair challenge. You are right that "unearned" is the wrong word if it sounds like a verdict on effort. Beckham earned his money and paid in...
  • Jana
    @Nonconformistradical “What makes young people violent in the first place? This is the nature/ nurture question. Some think people are born ‘good’ and...
  • Judy Abel
    @Nigel agree with all of this - your last paragraph says it all - things have to change and the Lib Dems could start to be that change....