Iran has designated Britain’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF) as terrorist organisations and labelled its foreign intelligence agency, MI6, a hostile group, escalating tensions between Tehran and London.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced the measures on Sunday, November 1, through the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, describing them as a response to Britain’s actions against Iran. It said they were based on a resolution of the Supreme National Security Council and took effect on publication.
Under the measures, the Royal Navy and RAF have been brought under Iranian legislation on countermeasures against the United States’ designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. MI6, formally the Secret Intelligence Service, was classified as a hostile group under Iran’s espionage and national-security law.
Reasons given
Tehran cited Britain’s decision to designate the IRGC under its National Security (State Threats) Act 2026.
The government laid the order before Parliament on July 13, Parliament approved it, and the Home Office confirmed the designation on July 17.
Under the law, certain forms of support for a designated body can be a criminal offence, with sentences of up to 14 years depending on the conduct.
Iran also accused Britain of providing military bases, facilities and logistical support from territories under its jurisdiction to the US-Israeli war against Iran. It described its action as reciprocal and said the British government would be responsible for any consequences.
Iran also accused Britain of providing military bases, facilities and logistical support from territories under its jurisdiction to the US-Israeli war against Iran. It described its action as reciprocal and said the British government would be responsible for any consequences.
Britain’s response
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting dismissed the designation on Monday, November 2, at a press conference in Berlin, saying the accusation did not deserve a serious response. He accused Iran of contributing to regional instability and state-sponsored terrorism, referred to the RAF Fairford incident, and said Britain remained in contact with Iran through diplomatic channels and would keep pursuing de-escalation.
The government has announced no military response.
RAF Fairford case
The dispute comes amid a police investigation into an incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a base also used by US aircraft including long-range bombers.
Counter Terrorism Policing said officers responded at about 12:45 am on September 27 to reports of three suspicious vehicles near the base, and five men were arrested. Petrol was recovered from the vehicles but no improvised explosive devices were found.
Seven men were arrested in the investigation. On October 20, two were re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, and on October 27 two men were charged under the National Security Act 2023.
Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service. Nouman Essghir, 24, was charged over approaching or inspecting a prohibited site for a purpose prejudicial to the UK’s safety or interests. Both are British nationals. Police said they believed the foreign intelligence service involved was Iran’s, and five other men remained on bail.
Iran has denied involvement. A joint statement on October 12 by the UK and other governments recognised Britain’s attribution of Iranian involvement and condemned alleged Iranian-linked attacks, sabotage and cyber activity.
Wider context
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, triggering Iranian retaliation across the region and raising concern over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas.
Britain’s military ties with Washington and the use of facilities on British territory have become a sensitive point with Tehran, while London says its actions protect British interests and allies.
Legal effect
The designation is made under Iranian law. It does not mean the United Nations, Britain, NATO or other governments recognise the RAF or Royal Navy as terrorist organisations, and it does not declare British personnel terrorists.
