Get you up to speed: Iran designates RAF and Royal Navy as ‘terrorist organisations’ | News World
Iran has designated the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as ‘terrorist organisations’ in response to the UK’s designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a national security threat. The UK military has been actively involved in shooting down Iranian drones during the conflict in the Middle East.
The British Military has been actively involved in intercepting Iranian drones since the commencement of hostilities in the Middle East earlier this year, with the RAF reporting over 100 such interceptions targeting British forces and coalition bases. In addition, Iran has launched missile attacks on British military installations located in Diego Garcia and Cyprus, further escalating tensions in the region.
Iran has classified the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as ‘terrorist organisations’ in response to UK actions against its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with a warning stating the UK “shall bear responsibility for their consequences.” A UK Government spokesperson has declared, “We utterly reject these designations,” affirming the country’s commitment to defending national security and interests alongside its allies.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain what specific consequences Iran believes the UK will face following its designation of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as ‘terrorist organisations’.
Iran labels Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as terrorist organisations
The UK has deployed miiltary assets to the Middle East and has shot down Iranian-made drones during the conflict (Picture: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Iran has designated the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as ‘terrorist organisations’ and warned the UK will ‘bear responsibility for their consequences’
Tehran also classified the UK secret service MI6 as a ‘hostile group’ and condemned the British government’s ‘anti-Iranian policies’.
The move is in retaliation for the UK’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a threat to national security in July.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said their decision was ‘in response to the British government’s hostile actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past year.’
US bombers used RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to strike Iran (Picture: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Their statement continued: ‘Including 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 that government’s decision on July 13, 2026 to place the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) under the State Threats Act 2026.’
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The Foreign Ministry also 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 British Military has been involved in shooting down Iranian drones since the outbreak of war in the Middle East earlier this year.
The RAF has shot down more than 100 unmanned aircraft targeting British forces and coalition bases.
Iran has also fired missiles at British military bases at Diego Garcia and in Cyprus.
The UK also deployed a warship, HMS Dragon, to the Middle East in March to join an international mission to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran is retaliating after the UK designated the IRGC in July (Picture: Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
In July, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced new powers to ban support for the IRGC, a powerful arm of the regime linked to death threats and intimidation in the UK.
UK counter terrorism specialist Roger Macmillan warned Iran’s move could ‘legitimise and encourage’ proxy attacks against the UK, including ‘defence infrastructure and military sites’.
He added: ‘This can induce a state of fear in people, because of what they think may or may not happen. Terror is not just about the acts, it’s about the fear.’
A Government spokesperson said: ‘We utterly reject these designations. The UK will always stand for freedom and democracy, and we will continue to defend our people, our national security and our interests alongside our allies and partners.’
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