Iran Designates UK Military and Intelligence as Terrorist, Hostile

Iran's Foreign Ministry has declared the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations, and the UK's foreign intelligence service, MI6, as a hostile entity. The decision, effective immediately, stems from a resolution by Iran's Supreme National Security Council and was announced via the Tasnim News Agency. Tehran stated the move is a response to British actions against Iran over the past year, including alleged participation in what Iran termed the "American-Israeli war" against it. According to the announcement, Britain provided military and logistical bases and resources for these actions. Another cited reason is London's July 13 decision to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under Britain's 2026 State Threats Law.

The designation of MI6 as hostile allows for the application of Iranian law to impose harsher penalties for espionage and cooperation with Israel and hostile states. The labeling of the Royal Navy and Air Force as terrorist organizations is based on an Iranian law enacted to retaliate against the U.S. designation of the IRGC as a terrorist group. Iran's Foreign Ministry asserted that these measures align with international law and are based on the principle of reciprocity, warning that the British government bears responsibility for the consequences.