UK designates Iran’s IRGC as terrorist organisation as Trump seeks US control of Strait of Hormuz

New Delhi: The UK government on Monday announced that it will designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation under new foreign influence legislation, marking a major escalation in tensions with Tehran. The move comes as the US president, Donald Trump, claimed the United States could take control of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Reuters, citing the UK Home Office, the designation will effectively ban support for the IRGC and make such backing a criminal offence. Although ministers said the measure is not legally identical to proscription, it carries equivalent restrictions under Britain’s new security framework.

As per reports, home office said there was sufficient evidence to believe that the IRGC was engaged in foreign power threat activity and that the designation was necessary to protect the safety and interests of the United Kingdom.

Trump says US should ‘run’ the Strait of Hormuz

Hours after the UK’s announcement, Trump said the United States could assume control of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking in a phone interview with Fox News’ Fox & Friends, he said the US would likely keep control of the waterway and become its “guardian”.

He also said the United States should be reimbursed for protecting the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that wealthy countries benefiting from the security of the route should help pay for the operation, Reuters reported.

Iran rejects US role in Strait of Hormuz

Iran responded by rejecting any US role in the strategic waterway. The unified command of Iran’s armed forces said it would not allow the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any cooperation with Washington or logistical support for US forces would be treated as an act against Iran’s sovereignty and national security. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari also warned that any wider conflict could engulf the region, according to remarks carried by state broadcaster IRIB.

The exchange came as Iran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz. As reported earlier by RNA Media, the IRGC said it had taken control of the waterway after stopping a commercial vessel that allegedly failed to comply with navigation instructions. Tehran later announced that the strait would remain closed until further notice.

Military tensions escalate across the Gulf

According to reports, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard opened fire on two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, while explosions were reported near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island as US strikes continued. Mehr News Agency, cited by Al Jazeera, reported that at least two people were killed and three others were injured after US missiles struck three locations in Abadan, Khuzestan province.

Yemen accuses Iran and Houthis of airspace violation

The internationally recognised Yemeni government also accused Iran and the Houthi movement of violating its airspace. Yemen’s defence minister Taher al-Aqili said the government would respond appropriately to what it described as repeated violations of Yemeni sovereignty. The presidential leadership council alleged that the Houthis had facilitated the arrival of a new Iranian flight outside the country’s legal civil aviation framework despite ongoing mediation efforts.

The council accused the Houthi movement of escalating tensions and warned that it would be held responsible for any consequences affecting Yemen’s security and stability.

UN urges return to diplomacy

Amid the growing regional tensions, the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, through his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, called on both the United States and Iran to halt the latest round of fighting and resume diplomatic negotiations.

The appeal came after recent US strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and across the Gulf region.