Iran condemns EU's terrorist designation for IRGC as hostile and provocative

Iran has reacted sharply to the European Union’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, calling the move hostile, provocative and legally baseless, as tensions between Tehran and Western capitals deepen. Tehran accused the bloc of escalating regional tensions amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The decision was confirmed earlier in the day by European Union foreign ministers, with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announcing that the bloc had agreed to move forward with the designation.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi lashed out at Europe for inflaming tensions rather than pursuing diplomacy.

"Several countries are presently attempting to avert the eruption of all-out war in our region. None of them are European," Araghchi wrote. "Europe is instead busy fanning the flames."

He went on to criticise the EU for what he described as double standards, saying the bloc had taken "zero action in response to Israel’s Genocide in Gaza" while rushing to act against Iran under the banner of human rights.

"Europe's PR stunt mainly seeks to cloak that it is an actor in severe decline," Araghchi said, warning that the EU itself would suffer the consequences of regional instability, including surging energy prices. "Europeans deserve better than what their governments have to offer."

IRANIAN MILITARY SLAMS EU MOVE AGAINST IRGC

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran also issued a scathing statement, lambasting the EU for blacklisting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In comments carried by Mehr News Agency, the military body described the decision as "irrational, irresponsible and detestable," claiming it was taken in "unquestioning obedience to the hegemonic and inhumane policies of the United States and the Zionist regime."

The statement further accused European leaders of deep-seated hostility towards Iran, its armed forces and its national sovereignty, arguing that the move violated international law, the United Nations Charter and established principles of respect for state sovereignty.

It also said the designation had been made under pressure from what it described as a "delusional and senseless" US president and the "terrorist and child-killing Zionist regime."

EU DEFENDS DECISION, SEEKS UNANIMOUS BACKING

The European Union has framed the move as a response to the IRGC’s actions inside Iran, particularly its role in suppressing protests.

Kaja Kallas said the IRGC had killed 6,373 people during protests, defending the decision in stark terms. "If you act like a terrorist, you should be treated like a terrorist," she said.

For the designation to formally take effect, it must receive unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states. While the proposal had previously faced resistance, the political landscape within the bloc has shifted.

France, which had earlier warned that such a move could endanger its nationals in Iran and close channels for dialogue, has now reversed course. French Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot said that "the intolerable repression of peaceful protests in Iran requires a response," adding, "There can be no forgiveness for crimes." The French President’s office has also confirmed its backing.Countries including Italy, Spain and Germany had already supported the designation.

The IRGC is Iran’s most powerful military institution. Founded in 1979 by Ayatollah Khamenei following the Islamic Revolution, it was created to safeguard the new political order and operates independently of Iran’s regular armed forces.

Over time, the IRGC played a key role in anti-Khamenei protests crackdown, while reporting directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The United States, Canada and Australia have already designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

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