Iran has designated the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as “terrorist organisations” and labelled Britain’s foreign intelligence service, MI6, a “hostile group” in a retaliatory move announced by Tehran on Sunday, following the UK’s designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The decision was announced by Iran’s Foreign Ministry in a statement carried by Iranian state media, including the state-run Press TV and IRNA news agencies.
Tehran said the measures were a response to what it described as Britain’s hostile actions against the Islamic Republic, particularly the UK’s recent designation of the IRGC under its national security legislation.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also accused Britain of supporting the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran by providing access to military bases and logistical facilities.
Iran said the designations were made under its own legislation and in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
UK designation of the IRGC
The announcement follows Britain’s decision to designate the IRGC as a threat to national security under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026.
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The legislation received Royal Assent on July 8, with the IRGC formally designated on July 17, following parliamentary approval of an order laid by the Home Secretary.
The new powers allow the British government to designate organisations involved in foreign state threats, making it a criminal offence to support, assist or obtain material benefits from designated bodies. Offenders can face prison sentences of up to 14 years.
The Home Office described the IRGC as an integral part of the Iranian state, with influence spanning military, security, economic and foreign policy matters.
Iran has strongly opposed the move, describing it as part of Britain’s hostile policies towards the country.
The latest escalation also comes amid a developing British counter-terrorism investigation into an incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
On September 27, five men were arrested after police received reports of suspicious vehicles travelling towards the military airbase, which has been used by U.S. forces.
Counter Terrorism Policing subsequently confirmed that it was investigating possible Iranian state involvement.
On October 27, two men were charged with national security offences following the investigation.
One, British national Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service. Police said they believed the foreign intelligence service in question was Iranian.
A second man, Nouman Essghir, 24, was charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK’s safety or interests.
Police said the investigation was continuing, with several other men remaining on bail.
The British authorities have alleged that the incident was linked to Iranian intelligence. The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
Iran has denied involvement in hostile activities on British soil.
On October 12, the UK and a group of international partners issued a joint statement condemning what they described as Iranian state-linked hostile activities. The statement explicitly recognised Britain’s attribution of Iranian involvement in the RAF Fairford incident and said the UK had concluded that it demonstrated the IRGC’s willingness to project hostile activity abroad through covert networks and proxy actors.
