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Britain on Tuesday said that all persons working inside the country for Iran, its intelligence services or the Revolutionary Guard would have to register on a new list or face jail.

Iran became the first country to be placed on an enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which aims to boost the UK's national security against covert foreign influences.

Security minister Dan Jarvis said the measures would come into effect later this year.

Failing to register would be a criminal offence that could carry a maximum of five years in jail.

Tehran has become "increasingly emboldened, asserting itself more aggressively to advance their objectives and undermine ours", Jarvis told MPs.

Proof of Tehran's direct action against UK targets has "substantially increased" in recent years, he said, adding that such threats were "unacceptable. They must and will be defended against at every turn."

Jarvis said Iran was deliberately targeting dissidents, media organisations and journalists in the UK.

The head of Britain's MI5 domestic intelligence service revealed recently that since 2022 the UK had uncovered 20 Iran-backed plots "presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents", Jarvis added.

"It is clear that these plots are a conscious strategy of the Iranian regime to stifle criticism through intimidation and fear."

Asked in parliament if China would also be placed in the new category, Jarvis said other announcements would be made "in due course".

The scheme had been due to go into effect in 2024 but the new Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced shortly after elections last July that it was being delayed.

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