Iran lists British Navy, Air Force as terrorist organizations

• Iran has designated the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations, while classifying MI6 as a hostile group.
• Tehran says the measures are retaliation for Britain's support for the US- and 'Israeli'-backed war against Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that it had designated Britain’s foreign intelligence service, MI6, as a hostile group and placed the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force on its lists of terrorist organizations, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA.

In a statement issued in Tehran, the ministry described the measures as counteractions against British intelligence and military institutions, citing what it called hostile policies by the British government.

The ministry said the decision was a response to Britain's involvement in the US- and 'Israeli'-backed conflict against Iran, as well as London's decision to place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the State Threats Law.

According to the statement, the measures were based on a ruling by Iran's Supreme National Security Council and were intended to address British conduct over the past year.

Tehran accused Britain of providing military and logistical support during what it described as a war imposed on Iran, including through British facilities and military bases.

Under the first measure, MI6 was classified as a hostile group under Article 1, Note 2, of Iran's law on tightening punishments for espionage and cooperation with the 'Israeli' entity and hostile countries against national security and interests.

The ministry said all provisions and measures outlined in the law would apply to the intelligence agency.

Under the second measure, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force were added to Iran's lists of terrorist organizations, effective Nov. 1, the date the statement was issued.

The ministry said the designation was made under legislation titled the US Response to the Declaration of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards as a Terrorist Organization.

Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as hostile British practices, arguing that they violated the principles of the UN Charter and international law, particularly those concerning state sovereignty and the prohibition of unlawful interference.

The ministry stressed that the Iranian government was determined to take all necessary measures to protect the country's national security and supreme interests.

It said the measures were consistent with international legal standards and the principle of reciprocity, adding that the British government would bear full responsibility for the consequences of its decisions.