Iran has officially designated the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy as 'terrorist organisations', warning that the UK will 'bear responsibility for their consequences'. The move also classifies the UK's secret intelligence service MI6 as a 'hostile group' and condemns the British government's 'anti-Iranian policies'.
Retaliation for UK action against IRGC
The designation is a direct response to the UK's decision in July to place Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the State Threats Act 2026. Iran's Foreign Ministry said the decision was 'in response to the British government's hostile actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past year'.
The ministry's statement cited 'its involvement in the US-Israeli imposed war against Iran through the provision of military and logistical bases and facilities located in territories under British jurisdiction', as well as the UK's July 13, 2026 decision regarding the IRGC.
Warning of consequences
The Foreign Ministry warned: 'It is self-evident that these measures have been adopted in accordance with the principles of international law and within the framework of the principle of reciprocity, and the British government shall bear responsibility for their consequences.'
The announcement follows recent reports of two British men allegedly ordered by an Iranian handler to deliver a fake bomb to RAF Fairford, and comes amid heightened military tensions between the UK and Iran.
