Iran Labels United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as Terrorist Organisations

Key facts

• On November 1, 2026, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs 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'.
• The measures were adopted pursuant to a resolution of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in response to Britain's hostile actions, with Tehran citing Britain's alleged provision of military and logistical bases for the US-Israeli war against Iran.
• Iran stated the designations were made under its Law on 'Countermeasures Against the United States' Designation of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps as a Terrorist Organization' and its espionage law, and in accordance with international law and the principle of reciprocity.
• The Iranian move came months after the United Kingdom placed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the State Threats Act 2026 in July, under which anyone in the UK supporting or assisting the IRGC faces up to 14 years in prison.