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Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the U.K. government’s decision Monday to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization under its National Security Act, calling the move unjustified, irresponsible and contrary to international law.
The U.K. government listed the IRGC as a terrorist group using powers introduced under the National Security (State Threats) Act, according to media reports.
In a written statement to Parliament, Security Minister Angela Eagle said the government had “identified activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on U.K. soil,” Sky News reported.
The U.K. also designated the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, or IMCR, which Sky News described as being linked to Iran.
The decision followed the fast-tracking of the National Security (State Threats) Act, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer had promised in April.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the U.K. decision violated fundamental principles of international law, including the sovereign equality of states and the principle of noninterference in other countries’ internal affairs.
The ministry described the IRGC as an integral part of Iran’s official armed forces, serving alongside the Iranian army and responsible for defending the country’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty and security.
It said the IRGC’s role in protecting Iran, supporting regional peace and security and combating Daesh terrorism was widely known.
The ministry called the U.K. move a provocative act against an official institution of a sovereign state and said it violated international law and the United Nations Charter.
Iran said the decision came as West Asia remained in a critical and tense situation because of what it described as the conduct of the U.S. and Israel.
The ministry referred to Israel as the “child-killing Zionist regime” and said the timing of the decision demonstrated the hostility of those who designed and approved it.
It accused the U.K. of lacking the moral standing to make security allegations against Iran because of Britain’s history of colonial policies and intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, particularly in West Asia.
The ministry also alleged that Britain had acted as an accomplice during the recent U.S.-Israeli military attack against Iran, citing comments attributed to the NATO secretary-general.
Iran said the security claims used to justify the decision were baseless.
The Foreign Ministry accused the U.K. of hosting and supporting terrorist and violent organizations while using security allegations as the basis for action against Iran.
The U.K. government, however, said the designation followed activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation inside Britain, according to Eagle’s statement reported by Sky News.
The decision was made under recently introduced national security legislation aimed at addressing threats connected to foreign states.
Iran said it reserved all rights available under the United Nations Charter and international law to take reciprocal measures in response to the U.K. decision.
The Foreign Ministry warned that Britain’s government would bear responsibility for the political, legal and diplomatic consequences of what it called an anti-Iranian action.
It said any damaging effects resulting from the designation would be the responsibility of the U.K. authorities.
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