Iran Calls European Union Armies “Terrorist Groups” in Response to EU Action
Iran has declared the armies of all European Union (EU) countries as “terrorist groups. ”This decision was announced on Sunday and is seen as a response to a recent move by the EU.
A few days earlier, EU foreign ministers agreed to place Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the EU’s list of terrorist organisations. The IRGC is a powerful military force in Iran that answers directly to the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The EU made this decision after Iran carried out a very harsh crackdown on protests across the country. These protests began after public anger grew over government actions and restrictions. Security forces, including the IRGC, were accused of using extreme force against demonstrators. Human rights groups say thousands of people have been arrested, and many have been killed during the unrest.
In response, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, announced that Iran would now treat the armies of EU countries as terrorist groups. He said this was based on a law Iran passed in 2019. That law allows Iran to label other countries’ military forces as terrorists if they do the same to Iran.
Qalibaf, who is a former commander of the IRGC, said the EU would face consequences for its decision. He accused European countries of following the United States instead of acting in their own interest.
“The Guard has been one of the main forces stopping terrorism from reaching Europe,” he said. “By attacking the IRGC, Europeans are actually hurting themselves.”
Many observers believe Iran’s move is mostly symbolic and will not change much in practice. However, it adds to growing tension between Iran and Western countries.
At the same time, the situation in the Middle East is becoming more tense. Reports say US President Donald Trump is considering possible military action against Iran. In addition, Iran has announced plans to hold live-fire military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. This is a very important waterway because about one-fifth of the world’s oil trade passes through it.
The IRGC is not just a military force. It also controls Iran’s missile programme and has major business interests in the country. Because it answers only to the Supreme Leader, it has a lot of power inside Iran.
Iran’s decision to label EU armies as terrorists is another sign of how strained relations have become. Many fear that if tensions continue to rise, it could lead to more conflict in the region and affect global security and oil supplies.
