Iran has been announced as the first foreign power to be placed on the enhanced tier of a new government scheme to protect the UK from covert foreign influence. Security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs the Tehran regime and its intelligence agencies would be placed on the top level of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) when it comes into effect this year. Under the scheme, anyone who is directed by Iran to carry out activities in the UK, such as criminal proxies, must register it or face five years in prison, the minister said.