Iran Declares EU Forces Terrorist Organizations

TEHRAN: (Web Desk) – Iran has retaliated against the European Union by designating the navies and air forces of all EU member states as “terrorist organizations.” This move comes after the EU formally added the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its list of terrorist organizations, citing concerns over the group’s actions.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the EU decision as “illegal and unjustified” and a violation of the UN Charter and international law, stressing that the IRGC is a regular, official branch of Iran’s armed forces. The ministry added that its actions are based on the principle of reciprocity.

The Council of the European Union confirmed on Thursday that the IRGC has been officially included in the EU terrorist list, following political consensus among member states. As a result, the IRGC will face strict sanctions, including the freezing of funds and financial restrictions within EU countries, and a ban on European institutions providing any resources to the group.

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Currently, the EU’s terrorist list includes 13 individuals and 23 organizations and entities. The recent tensions are tied to wider disputes over human rights and protests in Iran, which European leaders have criticized as a crackdown on civilians.

Iran’s parliament previously approved the designation of EU forces as terrorist organizations after authorization from the country’s top security body. Subsequently, EU ambassadors were summoned to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which described the EU move as “irresponsible and unjustified.”

Regional tensions continue to escalate as the US maintains an unprecedented military presence in the area, while the IRGC conducts military exercises in the Persian Gulf, highlighting the growing geopolitical friction.