Iran designates UK Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations

Iran's Foreign Ministry announced on 1 November that the UK's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have been designated terrorist organisations, and that British foreign intelligence service MI6 has been classified as a hostile group.

TASS reported the Foreign Ministry statement, which said the measures were adopted by the Supreme National Security Council in response to what it described as London's hostile actions over the past year, specifically its participation in the US and Israeli war against Iran by providing bases and facilities on its territory.

Under Note 2 of Article 1 of Iran's law on tightening penalties for espionage and collaboration with hostile countries, MI6 will be treated as a hostile group with immediate effect. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force fall under separate retaliatory measures legislation linked to the UK's own July 13 designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation under the 2001 Terrorism Act.

The Foreign Ministry statement stressed that responsibility for any consequences rests with the UK government.