Iran summons British ambassador over IRGC designation

Iran has summoned the British ambassador to Tehran in protest over the UK's decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a proscribed organisation, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Hugo Shorter was called in after London accused the IRGC of posing a security threat and linked the elite military force to alleged attacks in several European countries, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

"The British ambassador in Tehran was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was presented with Iran's strong protest over this move," the ministry said in a statement.

Tehran described the UK's actions as "completely unjustified" and condemned the allegations against the IRGC.

The diplomatic protest follows Britain's decision on 13 July to formally designate the IRGC as a banned organisation, citing national security concerns.

The latest move comes after the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office earlier summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires in London, Ali Nasimfar, over the same issue. Iranian officials have warned that Tehran will respond to any British legislative or political measures targeting the Islamic Republic.

By Aghakazim Guliyev