Iran Labels MI6 Hostile and Britain's Navy and Air Force Terrorist Organizations

Iran's Foreign Ministry published a statement on Sunday naming Britain's foreign intelligence service, MI6, a hostile entity and designating the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations. The document gives October 31 as the effective date of the measures, although the ministry posted it on November 1. The ministry said the measures followed a Supreme National Security Council decision. It placed MI6 under an Iranian law addressing espionage and cooperation with Israel and countries acting against Iran's national security or interests, saying related legal and judicial measures would apply. It designated the two armed services under Iran's reciprocal-action legislation concerning the United States' designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Tehran portrayed the steps as retaliation for British actions against the Revolutionary Guards. It alleged that Britain had assisted the American-Israeli military campaign through military facilities and logistical support. Those assertions were the Iranian ministry's account. “Responsibility for its consequences lies with the British government,” the ministry said. The statement set out no timetable for further talks or specific operational measures. The announcement follows an October 12 joint statement in which Britain and allied foreign ministers recognized the UK's attribution of Iranian involvement in the September 27 incident at RAF Fairford. They condemned Iranian attacks and threats on their territories, including a campaign targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and American interests. The allies said the Fairford incident showed the Revolutionary Guards' readiness to project hostile activity abroad through covert networks and proxies.