Iran has declared the armies of European countries “terrorist groups” in response to the European Union’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, announced the decision on Sunday, saying it was based on a 2019 Iranian law introduced after the United States first listed the IRGC as a terrorist group.
Under the law, Ghalibaf said, “the armies of European countries are considered terrorist groups,” though it was not immediately clear how the decision would be applied in practice.
During Sunday’s parliamentary session, Iranian lawmakers wore green uniforms associated with the Guards in a show of solidarity. State television aired footage of lawmakers chanting slogans including “Death to America,” “Death to Israel,” and “Shame on you, Europe.”
The session coincided with the 47th anniversary of the return from exile of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The IRGC is a powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces tasked with protecting the country’s Islamic system.
Western governments have accused the Guards of leading a violent crackdown on protests, while Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on what they describe as “terrorist acts” backed by the United States and Israel.
Iran’s announcement follows the EU’s decision last week, which came after similar actions by Canada and Australia.
Ghalibaf criticised Europe’s move, describing it as politically driven and claiming it would only strengthen public support for the Guards.
The development comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States.
US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that “a massive armada is heading to Iran,” adding that he hoped Tehran would return to negotiations and accept a deal that ensures “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS.”
Iran has said it remains open to nuclear talks, but insists its defence and missile programmes should not be included in negotiations.
On Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned against the consequences of conflict, saying neither Iran, the United States nor the wider region would benefit from war.
