In a retaliatory move, Iran has declared European armies “terrorist groups” after a European Union decision to apply the same designation to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over a bloody crackdown on recent protests.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced that the decision was made under “Article 7 of the Law on Countermeasures Against the Declaration of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organisation.”
He asserted that by attempting to deal a blow to the IRGC, “which itself was the greatest barrier against the spread of terrorism to Europe,” the Europeans have “actually shot themselves in the foot and, once again, by blindly obeying the Americans, have made decisions against the interests of their own people.”
“According to the law on reciprocal action against the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, the armies of European countries are considered terrorist groups, and the consequences of this action will rest with the European Union.”
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
EU Foreign policy Chief, Kaja Kallas announced the bloc’s designation of the IRGC on Thursday, saying repression could not “go unanswered.” “Any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise,” she wrote on social media.
The United States-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says it has confirmed 6,713 deaths during the nationwide protests that began on December 28 over economic grievances but soon evolved into a serious challenge to the government.
Iranian authorities have not announced any official arrest numbers, but said at least 3,117 people were killed during the protests, including 2,427 described as “innocent” protesters or security forces.
Internet and mobile access were cut off by the state across Iran on the night of January 8, during the height of the protests.
The Iranian Parliament Speaker hailed the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as the most unique counter-terrorism institution in the world.
Addressing the parliament session, Ghalibaf said that such anti-Iran moves only increase social solidarity in support of the IRGC to preserve the national dignity and security of Iran.
He stressed that Europe seeks to satisfy its “master”, the United States, so that it stops threatening their territorial integrity.
He noted that the IRGC, with the help of the people of the region, “toppled the rule of ISIS, eliminated its global threat, and has dedicated hundreds of martyrs, including one of its greatest and most experienced Commanders, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.”
He stated that the IRGC is devoted to Iran and the Islamic Revolution, and the enmity of terrorism’s supporters in the world will not diminish the IRGC power.
Retaliatory Move Amid Week Of Tensions
Iran’s retaliatory move came amid weeks of rising tensions, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatening military strikes and building up its naval presence in the Middle East.
Trump, however, said on Saturday that Iran was “seriously talking” with the US, hours after Iran’s top national security official said arrangements for negotiations were progressing.
Iranian officials have warned that any attack would draw a “comprehensive” response. Tehran has also planned a live-fire military drill for Sunday and Monday in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes.
Meanwhile, the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday said if the US attacked Iran, it would become a regional conflict.
“[Trump] regularly says that he brought ships […] The Iranian nation shall not be scared by these things, the Iranian people will not be stirred by these threats.
“We are not the initiators and do not want to attack any country, but the Iranian nation will strike a strong blow against anyone who attacks and harasses them.”
Ali Khamenei
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