Keir Starmer's Labour Party's resounding victory in the UK general election on July 5 signals a potentially tougher stance towards Iran from the new British government. This new administration is likely to be more assertive and less engaged in the Middle East than the previous Conservative government, which held power in Downing Street for over 14 years.

Starmer's approach to Iran has been consistently critical, suggesting a continuation of stringent policies against the Iranian regime, its proxies, and countries aligned with the "Axis of Resistance". New Foreign Secretary David Lammy is unlikely to follow in the footsteps of former Labour Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who engaged in multiple dealings with Tehran and even visited Iran in attempts to negotiate with failed presidential nominee Saeed Jalili—efforts that ultimately proved fruitless.

Since assuming leadership of the Labour Party, Starmer has deliberately distanced himself from his predecessor's policies. He demonstrated this by standing in solidarity with Richard Ratcliffe during his campaign for the release of his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was imprisoned in Tehran's notorious Evin prison until 2022.

In contrast, Corbyn's connections to Iran were so close that he reportedly received indirect payments from Iranian state television broadcaster Press TV for hosting a chat show while serving as an MP, along with former MP George Galloway. Following the antisemitism scandal that rocked the party under Corbyn's leadership, Starmer has made concerted efforts to rebuild Labour's relationship with the Jewish community, further distancing the party from its previous leadership and their stance on Iran.

Stern Approach to IRGC

Starmer’s previous calls for the proscription of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation set the tone for his administration’s policy. He has criticised the IRGC’s involvement in regional conflicts and its support for terrorism, positioning himself firmly against Iran’s destabilising actions in the Middle East. The 2024 Labour manifesto, which was outlined this month ahead of next week's general election, explicitly states that it would outlaw the IRGC in Britain, saying that threats from hostile states or state-sponsored groups were on the rise.

Backed by the Labour Friends of Israel to designate the group, the new British prime minister can enact his legal experience on a state level. To those who do not know, Starmer was the chief prosecutor in England prior to his take-up of politics. This policy to tackle Iran’s IRGC aligns with his broader security policy, emphasising the importance of combating state-sponsored terrorism and maintaining regional stability.

Under Keir Starmer, the Labour Party has demonstrated unwavering support for regional allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, especially in their defensive strategies against perceived Iranian threats. Starmer has publicly endorsed military actions aimed at countering Iranian influence in the region, specifically targeting Iranian-backed groups like the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This endorsement includes backing UK and US military interventions designed to protect vital shipping routes in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks. Starmer’s support extends beyond mere rhetoric, focusing on a strategic commitment to strengthening alliances with key Middle Eastern partners. Starmer’s approach suggests that his mission from day one is to isolate the Iranian leaders through a multipronged legal and security measures strategy if he were to gain power—well that’s according to what he has been suggesting over the past four years.

By aligning closely with Israel against Iranian missile and drone threats and supporting Saudi-led coalitions combating Houthi forces, Starmer has chosen a clear side and a strong alignment with these nations’ efforts to mitigate Iranian influence, something that something will probably not be lost on those in power in Tehran.

Human Rights and Sanctions

Starmer's administration is expected to maintain a strong focus on human rights, particularly addressing Iran's domestic repression and international misconduct. His criticism of Iran's support for authoritarian measures and involvement in conflicts such as Russia's war in Ukraine underscores a commitment to holding Iran accountable through international sanctions. This stance highlights a growing divergence from the previous Conservative government's approach.

Despite some calls for re-engagement with Iran, Starmer's policy appears to lean towards diplomatic isolation and containment. While condemning actions like the US killing of General Qassem Soleimani, Starmer has advocated for a cautious and measured approach to Iran, emphasizing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions without compromising on firm opposition to Iranian aggression.

This new government represents a significant shift from the approach taken during Tony Blair's administration, particularly under Jack Straw's tenure as foreign secretary. The Blair era saw the UK pursuing a more engaged and diplomatic approach towards Iran, with Straw visiting Iran multiple times and advocating for dialogue and cooperation. The early 2000s witnessed efforts to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear programme, with Straw playing a key role in these discussions. However, Starmer's administration seems unlikely to replicate this approach.

Domestically, Starmer faces a more immediate challenge: the issue of irregular migration, often referred to as "the boats" by politicians like new MP Nigel Farage. Starmer has been reticent about his strategy for addressing this issue, but concerns have been raised, including by the Reform party leader, about the potential for IRGC operatives to enter the UK under the guise of asylum seekers.

The UK has become a hub for anti-Islamic Republic media, hosting organisations and channels including BBC Persian, Farsi 1, Manoto, and Iran International; the latter is believed to be funded by Israel and, previously, Saudi Arabia. The IRGC has a history of targeting its critics both domestically and internationally, with incidents reported as far as the United States, such as the case involving Masih Alinejad in New York the other year.

Starmer's approach to the complex Middle East security challenge can be inferred from his previous comments and actions. He appears prepared to confront the legal and diplomatic intricacies involved, suggesting a departure from the more cautious stance of his predecessors.