Iran has officially designated the armed forces of several European countries as “terrorist groups,” a retaliatory move following the European Union’s decision to classify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced the decision on Sunday, citing “Article 7 of the Law on Countermeasures Against the Declaration of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organisation.”
“Europeans have, in effect, acted against their own interests, following blindly the orders of the Americans,” Ghalibaf said, criticizing the EU’s action.
The IRGC, considered the ideological core of Iran’s military, is responsible for safeguarding the Islamic revolution from both domestic and external threats. Western governments have accused it of playing a leading role in quelling recent protests, which reportedly left thousands dead. Iran, however, rejects these claims, attributing the unrest to “terrorist acts” orchestrated by the United States and Israel.
On Thursday, the EU added the IRGC to its list of terrorist organisations, aligning its stance with the United States, Canada, and Australia. Ghalibaf condemned the move as a decision dictated by American and Israeli interests, claiming it would diminish Europe’s global relevance while strengthening domestic support for the IRGC.
The parliamentary statement comes amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, with both sides issuing warnings of potential military action. U.S. President Donald Trump previously ordered an aircraft carrier strike group to the region in response to Iran’s handling of protests.
Despite heightened rhetoric, officials from both countries have signaled willingness to engage in dialogue. Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said that “structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing,” emphasizing that media hype should not overshadow ongoing efforts.
Trump confirmed that talks were underway but maintained a firm stance, stating in an interview with Fox News: “Iran is talking to us, and we’ll see if we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens… we have a big fleet heading out there.” He has repeatedly stressed that the U.S. prefers a negotiated settlement over military action concerning Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Iran has indicated readiness for nuclear negotiations, provided its missile and defence capabilities are not subject to discussion. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi that “war would serve the interests of neither Iran, the United States, nor the region.”
Regional mediation efforts are ongoing. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, visited Tehran on Saturday to discuss ways to “de-escalate tensions,” according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.
With diplomacy and threats both in play, the question remains: will dialogue avert conflict, or is a regional confrontation looming?
