---
title: "Iran designates UK military and intelligence as terrorist"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/iran-designates-uk-military-and-intelligence-as-terrorist"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/iran-designates-uk-military-and-intelligence-as-terrorist"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/iran-designates-uk-military-and-intelligence-as-terrorist.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/iran-designates-uk-military-and-intelligence-as-terrorist"
category: "Politics"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-11-01T09:25:10.438Z"
source_reported: "2026-11-01T08:32:24.000Z"
updated: "2026-11-01T09:25:10.438Z"
trust_score: 58
critic_score: 60
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-11-01T11:15:32.866752+00:00"
---

# Iran designates UK military and intelligence as terrorist

*Tehran labels Royal Navy, RAF and MI6 as hostile in response to British actions.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 58 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 17 digests corroborate the main points.
- Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Most outlets are digests; one full report provides limited detail and context.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'terrorist organizations' and 'hostile group'.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has designated the UK's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations.
- MI6, the British foreign intelligence service, has been classified as a 'hostile group'.
- The Iranian ministry stated the decision was a response to hostile actions by the British government.
- The designations were effective from November 1, 2026.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations. The British foreign intelligence service, MI6, was classified as a 'hostile group'. The ministry stated that these decisions were a response to hostile actions by the British government. The designations took effect on November 1, 2026.

## Disagreement on the reason for the designation

Cumhuriyet and Haberler report that the decision was a response to the UK including the Revolutionary Guard under the 2026 State Threats Act. Other reports state the decision was a response to hostile actions by the British government, with 20minutos and Al-Shorouk mentioning participation in US-imposed actions and support for Zionist aggression against Iran respectively.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific date the decision was effective from, November 1, 2026, which was stated in the verified claims and reported by unrated outlets such as Haberler and Hola News.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 17 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 33% (5)
- Centre: 34% (7)
- Right: 33% (5)

17 of 34 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-01T11:15:32.866752+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 11 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-01T12:00:25.532Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports led with Iran's designation of the Royal Navy and RAF as terrorist organisations and MI6 as a hostile group. Cumhuriyet, in its full report, stated the decision was a response to "hostile actions by the British government against Iran, including the inclusion of the Revolutionary Guard under the 2026 State Threats Act." Fakti.bg and Middle East Eye also reported the designations and the reason given by Iran's foreign ministry.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on Iran designating the UK's Royal Navy, RAF, and MI6 as terrorist or hostile entities. 20minutos stated the measure was a response to "hostile actions of the British government against the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past year, including participation in the U.S.-imposed." Hindustan Times noted the designations were made "amid war with US: Report."

### Right

- Right-rated reports highlighted Iran's designation of the British Navy, Air Force, and MI6. Anadolu Ajansı reported that the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated MI6 was labelled a 'hostile group'. News-pravda.com and vz.ru also reported the designations, with vz.ru noting that MI6 was subject to laws increasing penalties for espionage and cooperation with hostile countries.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 6
- high: 9
- unknown: 17
- veryHigh: 1

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [anlatilaninotesi.com.tr](https://anlatilaninotesi.com.tr/20261101/iran-ingiliz-dis-istihbarat-servisi-mi6yi-dusman-grup-kraliyet-ve-orduyu-terorist-ilan-etti-1110030918.html) — Iran Has Declared British Foreign Intelligence Service MI6 an 'Enemy Group', and the Royal Family and Army 'Terrorist'.
- [The Jewish Chronicle](https://thejc.com/news/world/iran-declares-uk-navy-and-raf-terror-groups-and-mi6-hostile-s26qm511) — Iran declares UK Navy and RAF ‘terror groups’, and MI6 ‘hostile’
- [El Confidencial](https://elconfidencial.com/mundo/2026-11-01/iran-designa-como-organizaciones-terroristas_4457111) — Iran Designates the British Navy and Air Force as Terrorist Organizations
- [Karar Gazetesi](https://karar.com/dunya-haberleri/iran-ingiliz-ordusunu-teror-listesine-aldi-2081750) — Iran Has Added the British Military to Its Terror List.
- [viva.co.id](https://viva.co.id/berita/dunia/1940222-iran-tetapkan-au-dan-al-inggris-organisasi-teroris) — Iran Designates British Air Force and Navy as Terrorist Organizations
- [Metro News](https://metro.co.uk/2026/11/01/iran-designates-raf-royal-navy-terrorist-organisations-29755900) — Iran designates RAF and Royal Navy as 'terrorist organisations'
- [daryo.uz](https://daryo.uz/2026/11/01/eron-britaniya-harbiy-tuzilmalarini-terrorchi-tashkilotlar-deb-elon-qildi) — Iran Declares British Military Structures as Terrorist Organizations
- [The Express Tribune](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638074/irgc-commander-says-military-fully-prepared-for-any-scenario-enemy-may-devise) — Iran designates British Royal Navy, Air Force as 'terrorist' organisations, MI6 as 'hostile group'
- [katadata.co.id](https://katadata.co.id/berita/internasional/6ae7031c7c452/iran-tetapkan-badan-intelijen-inggris-mi6-sebagai-musuh-au-dan-al-dicap-teroris) — Iran Designates British Intelligence Agency MI6 as Enemy, Air Force and Navy Branded as Terrorists - International Katadata.co.id
- [Pragativadi: Leading Odia Dailly](https://pragativadi.com/iran-designates-uk-royal-navy-in-diplomatic-conflict) — Tehran Blacklists UK Military: Royal Navy & RAF Designated as 'Terrorist Organisations'
- [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/world/iran-designates-uks-royal-navy-royal-air-force-as-terrorist-organisations-classifies-mi6-as-hostile-group) — Iran designates UKs Royal Navy, Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations, classifies MI6 as hostile group - The Tribune
- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3076531/irao-classifica-marinha-e-forca-aerea-britanicas-como-terroristas) — They Will Classify British Navy and Air Force as Terrorists
- [PressTV](https://presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/11/01/779680/iran-bans-uk-military-mi6-in-retaliation-for-complicity-in-war-irgc-designation) — Iran designates MI6 as ‘hostile group’, UK navy and air force as ‘terrorist organizations’
- [turkiyegazetesi.com.tr](https://turkiyegazetesi.com.tr/dunya/irandan-ingiltereye-savas-gibi-karar-donanma-ve-hava-kuvvetleri-teror-listesinde-1826446) — Iran Makes a Decision Against Britain that Sounds Like War! Navy and Air Force Placed on Terror List.
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/iran-priznal-vms-i-vvs-britanii-terroristicheskimi-organizatsiyami) — Iran Has Recognized the Navy and the British Air Force as Terrorist Organizations
- [The Objective | Periodismo ethos](https://theobjective.com/internacional/2026-11-01/iran-terrorista-marina-fuerza-aerea-britanicas) — Iran Declares British Navy and Air Force Terrorist Group · Global Voices
- [Dawn](https://dawn.com/news/2041372) — Iran designates British navy, air force as ‘terrorist organisations’
- [20minutos](https://20minutos.es/internacional/iran-designa-como-organizaciones-terroristas-marina-fuerza-aerea-britanicas_7055913_0.html) — Iran Designates the British Navy and Air Force as Terrorist Organizations
- [Unknown](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%86%D9%81-%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%86) — Iran Ranks the British Intelligence Service as a Hostile Entity.
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iran-designates-british-navy-air-force-as-terrorist-organizations/4107764) — Iran Designs British Navy, Air Force as 'Terrorist' Organizations
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/iran-designates-uk-royal-navy-raf-terrorist-organisations-terms-mi6-hostile-group-amid-war-with-us-report-101793516287897.html) — Iran designates UK Royal Navy, RAF 'terrorist organisations', terms MI6 'hostile group' amid war with US: Report
- [Ziare](https://ziare.com/razboi-israel-iran/marina-regala-fortele-aeriene-britanice-organizatii-teroriste-reluare-atacuri-2045030) — Iran Declared Royal Navy and British Royal Air Force Terrorist Organizations. Trump and Netanyahu Discussed Plan to Resume Attacks
- [شفق نيوز](https://shafaq.com/en/World/Iran-labels-British-Navy-Air-Force-as-terrorist-organizations) — Shafaq News..Iran labels British Navy, Air Force as terrorist organizations
- [Cumhuriyet](https://cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/iran-dan-ingiltere-ye-karsi-hamle-kraliyet-donanmasi-ve-hava-kuvvetleri-ni-teror-orgutu-ilan-etti-2552144) — Iran Makes a Move Against Britain: It Declares the Royal Navy and Air Force as 'Terrorist Organizations'.
- [Al-Shorouk](https://shorouknews.com/news/view.aspx?cdate=01112026&id=2ab1d552-b027-46d1-a773-82713b00cc85) — Iran Ranks the British Intelligence Service as a Hostile Entity.
- [fakti.bg](https://fakti.bg/world/1096091-iran-obavi-britanskite-vms-i-vvs-za-teroristi) — Iran Declares British Navy and Air Force Terrorists
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/iran-designa-como-organizaciones-terroristas-a-la-marina-y-la-fuerza-aerea-britanicas) — Iran Designates the British Navy and Air Force as Terrorist Organizations
- [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/11/1/1470664.html) — Iran Has Declared the Navy and the British Air Force Terrorist Organizations
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/iran-mi6-yi-dusman-grup-ilan-edecek-ingiliz-20384610-haberi) — Iran Will Declare MI6 an Enemy Group and Consider British Forces a Terrorist Organization.
- [tabnak.ir](https://tabnak.ir/fa/news/1000001469793/mi6-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C-497745179cc64a1a91698a51) — MI6 and the British Army on the List of Terrorist Entities
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/11/01/2709648.html) — Iran has declared the British Navy and Air Force terrorist organizations, and included the British foreign intelligence service MI6 among hostile groups
- [Middle East Eye](https://middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-designates-britains-royal-navy-raf-terrorist-groups-report-says) — Iran designates Britain's Royal Navy, RAF as 'terrorist' groups, report says
- [inn.ir](https://inn.ir/news/article/170305/%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AE-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%86) — Tehran's Response to London's Hostile Moves
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/0acb855bc6500c3a) — IRGC designates UK's navy, air force as terrorist groups

## Questions

**What did Iran designate as terrorist organisations?**

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations. The British foreign intelligence service, MI6, was classified as a 'hostile group'. These designations took effect on November 1, 2026.

**Why did Iran take these actions?**

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the decision was a response to hostile actions by the British government. Some reports also suggest it was a reaction to the UK including Iran's Revolutionary Guard under the 2026 State Threats Act.

**Which outlets reported on Iran's designations?**

Eighteen outlets reported on the story, including Cumhuriyet, Life.ru, The Objective, 20minutos, Al-Shorouk, Anadolu Ajansı, Hindustan Times, Ziare, Al-Shorouk, Fakti.bg, Hola News, vz.ru, Haberler, tabnak.ir, news-pravda.com, Middle East Eye, inn.ir, and BizToc.

---

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