An Iran expert has called on the British government to close the Islamic Center of England, alleging it operates as an office for Iran's supreme leader and raises national security concerns amid reports of the regime smuggling operatives into the United Kingdom.
Kasra Aarabi, Director of IRGC Research at United Against Nuclear Iran, stated that the center has long been functioning as the U.K. office of Iran's supreme leader, with its Imam serving as the personally appointed representative. Aarabi argued that given the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) threats against Britain and reports of exploiting the migrant crisis to send agents, the center should be immediately shut down and non-British staff deported.
These claims come in the wake of reports that the U.K. government has allegedly allowed the Islamic Center of England to sponsor visas for imams as "skilled workers." Lawmakers and Mideast experts have raised concerns about potential gaps in Britain's national security and immigration policies. The revelations also coincide with a report in the U.K.'s Daily Telegraph, citing an Iranian official, that Tehran controls some human trafficking routes between the Middle East and the English Channel. This official suggested that operatives are already in London, ready to act if instructed, and that these routes are a more potent tool against Britain than missiles.
The Islamic Center of England has previously faced accusations of selling merchandise supporting Hezbollah and the IRGC, both designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. Stickers of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, were allegedly found at the center.
A spokesperson for the U.K.'s Home Office stated that the Islamic Center of England has not sponsored any workers since 2022 and that the Charity Commission is investigating the organization. The spokesperson added that the Home Office takes threats from the Iranian regime seriously and has expedited a law change to outlaw support for the IRGC, enhancing powers to disrupt and prosecute those acting on its behalf. If wrongdoing is found, those responsible will face legal consequences.
Aarabi further asserted that the IRGC has established a "soft power" infrastructure in Britain through charities, mosques, and colleges to foster radicalization and terrorism, creating an "Islamist constituency" loyal to the regime. He suggested that the IRGC could activate this constituency for domestic acts of terror, providing plausible deniability.
In response, a spokesperson for the Islamic Center of England stated that it is an independent registered charity operating under U.K. law and regulated by the Charity Commission. The spokesperson confirmed that the center holds a Home Office sponsor license, allowing it to sponsor skilled workers in compliance with immigration rules, and denied being an official office or representative of any government or political entity.
The British Prime Minister's press office referred inquiries to the Home Office.