Explanatory note

These Regulations specify certain Iranian foreign powers and other persons as “specified persons” for the purposes of Part 4 of the National Security Act 2023 (c. 32) (“the 2023 Act”) (foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme).

The specified foreign powers are those listed in Part 1 of the Schedule. In summary, they are the Supreme Leader of Iran and the Government of Iran (including all its agencies and authorities). The specified persons who are not foreign powers are listed in Part 2 of the Schedule. They are the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran and the judiciary of Iran.

The effect of specification by these Regulations is that a person who enters into an arrangement with a specified person and is directed under that arrangement to carry out activities in the United Kingdom, or arrange for others to do so, must register the arrangement prior to acting (see sections 65 and 67 of the 2023 Act). In addition, a specified person who is not a foreign power must not carry out activities in the United Kingdom unless those activities have been registered in advance (see section 68 of the 2023 Act). There are criminal offences in the 2023 Act for failure to act in accordance with these obligations and prohibitions.

Regulation 3 makes provision to apply the relevant requirements under Part 4 of the 2023 Act to arrangements made prior to the commencement of these Regulations, and makes a transitional provision.

An impact assessment accompanies these Regulations and is published on the www.gov.uk website. Copies may also be obtained by e-mailing [email protected] or writing to the State Threats Unit, Home Office, Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.