Iran Designates EU Armies ‘Terrorist Groups’ in Retaliatory Move After IRGC Listing

In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, Iran has formallydesignated European armies as ‘terrorist groups’ in a retaliatory move, directly responding to the European Union's recent decision to label Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This tit-for-tat action underscores a deepening rift between Tehran and the West, fueled by a brutal crackdown on domestic protests.

Tehran's Swift Countermeasure

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed on Sunday that this declaration was made in accordance with 'Article 7 of the Law on Countermeasures Against the Declaration of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organisation.' He sharply criticized the European bloc, stating they had 'shot themselves in the foot' and acted out of 'blind obedience to the Americans,' disregarding their own national interests.

The EU's Stance on the IRGC

The European Union's move, announced by its foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas last Thursday, reflected a stern condemnation of the IRGC's role in suppressing nationwide dissent. Kallas emphasized that such repression 'could not go unanswered,' warning that 'any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise.'

A Nation in Turmoil: The Protests' Aftermath

The EU's designation follows months of widespread anti-government protests that swept across Iran. Reports from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency indicate a staggering 6,713 fatalities since the demonstrations began on December 28, initially spurred by economic grievances but quickly evolving into a formidable challenge to the ruling establishment. While Iranian authorities have not released official arrest figures, they acknowledge at least 3,117 deaths during the unrest, including both 'innocent' protesters and security personnel. The height of the protests in early January saw state-imposed blackouts of internet and mobile services across the country.

The Pivotal Role of the IRGC

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an integral branch of Iran's armed forces, was established in the wake of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Operating in parallel with the conventional military, the IRGC reports directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It plays a multifaceted and crucial role in Iran's national defense, orchestrating foreign operations, and extending the nation's regional influence.

Broader Geopolitical Context and Rising Tensions

This latest exchange of designations unfolds amidst weeks of escalating geopolitical friction. US President Donald Trump had repeatedly issued warnings of potential military strikes against Iran, prompting Iranian officials to caution that any assault would be met with a 'comprehensive' retaliation. Adding to the regional volatility, Iran had also scheduled live-fire military exercises in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's traded oil navigates. Interestingly, despite the heightened rhetoric, President Trump remarked on Saturday that Iran was 'seriously talking' with the US, just hours after a senior Iranian national security official suggested progress in arrangements for negotiations.

The reciprocal 'terrorist' designations mark a dangerous turn in international relations, signaling a hardening of positions between Iran and European powers, and further complicating an already delicate geopolitical landscape.