Iran labels European armies “terrorist” in retaliation for EU measures

10:00

By: Sahili Aya

Iran labels European armies “terrorist” in retaliation for EU measures

Iran announced on Sunday that it now considers European armed forces to be “terrorist groups,” in response to the European Union’s decision to place Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on its list of terrorist organizations.

The declaration was made by Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, during a session of parliament. He said the move was taken under Iranian legislation allowing countermeasures against foreign entities that designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

The announcement comes amid heightened international pressure on Tehran following a wave of protests that were met with a harsh crackdown. Western governments have accused the Revolutionary Guards of playing a central role in repression, an allegation Iranian authorities deny.

The statement is widely seen as symbolic, but it further escalates tensions between Iran and Europe at a time when relations are already strained. The EU’s decision aligns it with countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, which had previously taken similar steps.

Meanwhile, military tensions remain high in the region. Iran is preparing naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for global energy supplies, while the United States has increased its military presence in the Gulf. Despite this, Iranian officials have insisted that they prefer diplomacy and have signaled openness to negotiations with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran is in contact with the United States, though he has provided few details. Western powers continue to suspect Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capability, a claim Iran strongly rejects.