Iran’s parliament declares European armies “terrorist groups” in retaliation for the EU’s designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.
TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament has declared the armies of European countries to be “terrorist groups”. The move is a retaliatory measure following the European Union’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf cited Article 7 of a 2019 law on countermeasures. He stated the EU’s “irresponsible action” accelerated “Europe’s path to becoming irrelevant in the future world order”.
During the legislative session, lawmakers wore IRGC uniforms and chanted “Death to America” and “Shame on you, Europe”. The session coincided with the anniversary of the return from exile of Islamic republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
The IRGC is the ideological arm of Iran’s military. Western governments accuse it of orchestrating a deadly crackdown on recent protests, a charge Tehran denies.
The EU’s classification last week matched similar designations by the United States, Canada and Australia. Ghalibaf claimed the decision only increased domestic support for the Guards.
The parliamentary action comes amid heightened regional tensions and a war of words with the US. US President Donald Trump has threatened military action and dispatched a carrier group, but both sides say dialogue is ongoing.
Trump confirmed talks were taking place but did not withdraw his threats. “We’ll see if we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens,” he told Fox News.
Iranian officials have stated readiness for nuclear talks if its missile programmes are not discussed. President Masoud Pezeshkian said a war would be in no one’s interest during a call with Egypt’s leader.
Qatari officials also visited Tehran in an effort to “de-escalate tensions”. The situation has caused anxiety among Iranian citizens, with one homemaker saying the news leaves her “very worried and scared”.
