Iran Designates UK’s Royal Navy, RAF as ‘Terrorist Organisations’, Calls MI6 ‘Hostile Group’

Iran on Sunday designated the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as “terrorist organisations” and classified its Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) as a “hostile group”, accusing London of pursuing hostile policies against Tehran.

In a statement issued on November 1, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the measures had been adopted under a resolution of the country’s Supreme National Security Council and in response to what it described as Britain's actions over the past year.

WHY IRAN HAS TARGETED BRITAIN

Tehran accused the British government of violating the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, particularly those relating to national sovereignty and the prohibition of unlawful measures against other countries.

The ministry cited Britain's alleged involvement in the US-Israeli war against Iran, including the provision of military and logistical bases and facilities in territories under British jurisdiction. It also pointed to London's July 13 decision to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the State Threats Act 2026.

Under the Iranian government's announcement, MI6 will be classified as a “hostile group” under the country's law on enhancing punishments for espionage and cooperation with Israel and other hostile countries against national security.

Iran also said the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force would be covered by its law on countermeasures against the United States' designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, thereby placing both forces on its list of terrorist organisations.

The foreign ministry said the measures were intended to protect Iran's national security and interests and had been adopted under the principle of reciprocity. It added that the British government would bear responsibility for any consequences.

UK HAD DESIGNATED IRGC UNDER NEW LAW

Britain designated the IRGC under a new law in July that allows foreign state bodies considered a threat to national security to be listed. Under the legislation, anyone in the UK who supports or assists the IRGC faces a prison sentence of up to 14 years, Al Jazeera reported.

IRAN WARNS OF WIDER CONFLICT WITH US

The announcement comes as Iran and the United States remain locked in a tense standoff, with diplomatic efforts continuing through Qatari mediators over a possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's army has meanwhile warned that any fresh conflict with Washington could spread beyond West Asia. Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said a new US attack would invite an immediate and wider military response.

“Should a new war erupt, the geography of the conflict will not be confined to the West Asia region,” he said in remarks carried by Iranian state media, according to Al Jazeera.

Akraminia warned that any future confrontation could last longer than previous conflicts and said Iran's military doctrine had shifted “from a purely defensive stance towards an offensive approach some time ago”.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ AT THE CENTRE OF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran is prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if Washington meets its conditions, which include lifting sanctions and reducing the US military presence in the region.

However, senior security official Mohsen Rezaei has maintained that Iran will not negotiate unless its seven demands are met. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has said discussions with Tehran are under way and warned that Washington could target Iran's remaining nuclear sites.

With inputs from ANI