Nigel Farage hails ‘freedom fighters’ as he joins protest towards Iranian regime exterior embassy – whereas dying toll from demonstrations within the Islamic Republic continues to rise
Nigel Farage has hailed the ‘freedom fighters’ in Iran as he joined a protest against the regime.
The leader of Reform was spotted speaking at the demonstration outside the embassy earlier today to cheers from crowds of people.
He said: ‘Persian people, you wonderful people, you freedom fighters. This time are we going to win? Yes we are. We are going to win, whatever the terrible price.
‘The terrible price we paid by many innocent people in every Iranian city right now, but you have got to believe that this is the moment.’
He shouted ‘Freedom for Iran’ as the crowd cheered around him.
In response a woman from the crowd said: ‘We really appreciate you. May God bless you and we wish everything good for you.’
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer resisted American demands to officially ban the paramilitary wing of Iran’s regime despite Tehran’s brutal suppression of protests.
The US State Department on Sunday told the UK that designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) as a terror group is ‘merely stating the obvious’.
‘We encourage all partners to join us and to add pressure on Iran at this critical moment for the Iranian people,’ a spokesman added.
Nigel Farage has hailed the ‘freedom fighters’ in Iran as he joined a protest against the regime
Sir Keir Starmer is resisting demands to officially ban the paramilitary wing of Iran’s regime despite Tehran’s brutal suppression of protests
But Downing Street on Monday morning played down the prospect of proscribing the IRGC – which is said to be playing a leading role in the violent crackdown of pro-democracy protests – by suggesting the move would be ineffective.
No10 pointed to comments by Sir Richard Moore, the former head of MI6, who said he would ‘caution’ that the move ‘won’t have practical effect’.
The senior diplomat also told BBC Radio 4 that ‘the danger is that something like that is mostly about us feeling better about ourselves’.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘I’d add that proscription powers are designed for non-state terror organisations, not state organisations.
‘I’ve set out our position separate to Sir Richard Moore’s position, but I think it’s helpful to point back to his words too.’
But the Labour Government continued to face pressure to officially ban the IRGC as the death toll climbs in Iran amid widespread protests.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told a press conference on Monday: ‘We should have proscribed the IRGC years ago, just as we should have proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood years ago.
‘I’ve been saying those things clearly and consistently for many, many years.’
Activists now say that the death toll from the brutal suppression of nationwide demonstrations in the Middle Eastern nation is at least 538 people
Downing Street played down the prospect of proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, which is said to be playing a leading role in the violent crackdown of pro-democracy protests. Pictured Tehran on 10 January 2026
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she is not against proscribing the IRGC, but added there were existing powers that could be used.
‘So I’m not against that, but we already have powers within the National Security Act in order to ban organisations like the IRGC,’ she said.
‘At the end of the day, they are the army of an enemy country. We don’t need to have a ban. There are loads of laws and legislation in place. Let’s use them.’
Proscription is the banning of a group based on an assessment that it commits or participates in, prepares for, promotes or encourages, or is otherwise concerned in terrorism.
Membership of, or support for, a proscribed group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
