TEHRAN, July 16– The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned the British ambassador to Tehran, Hugo Shorter, over the British government’s move to designate the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat.
Alireza Yousefi, director general for Western Europe at the ministry, who summoned the British envoy, conveyed Tehran’s strong protest against the “hostile” action, said the ministry in a statement.
Yousefi slammed recent “inappropriate” anti-Iran remarks by British Security Minister Angela Eagle in an address to the parliament, noting that making “baseless” claims against the IRGC is an “irresponsible move and in contradiction with the British government’s international commitments as well as the fundamental principles governing relations among states.”
Eagle said in a written statement that Britain has “identified activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on UK soil.”
Yousefi warned that any hostile legislation targeting Iran or its institutions will face a “decisive and reciprocal” response from the country.
The British government announced Monday that it was moving to designate the IRGC and two other organizations as national security threats.
If approved by parliament, they will become the first organizations designated under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, according to the statement from Eagle.
The designation would make it a criminal offense to support or assist the organizations in activities linked to Britain, or knowingly receive a material benefit from them. Certain offenses could carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The IRGC has already been sanctioned in its entirety by Britain. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
