Iran has declared the armed forces of European Union countries to be “terrorist organizations,” a dramatic escalation in tensions between Tehran and Western powers. The announcement was made by Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, during a session in the capital, where lawmakers wore the uniforms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a show of solidarity.
The declaration comes after the European Union formally added Iran’s IRGC to its terrorism blacklist. The EU move was driven by concerns over Iran’s crackdown on protests and broader actions seen in Brussels as human rights violations. In response, Iran invoked a domestic law on retaliatory measures to label EU militaries as terrorist forces. Officials said this step was justified under Article 7 of the law, which allows reciprocal action when Iran’s own forces are designated similarly.
Iran’s parliament speaker warned that the consequences of this designation would be borne by the European Union, hinting at possible diplomatic and security repercussions. The statement echoed strong criticism of the EU decision and accused European states of acting under pressure from the United States.
The move is largely symbolic, and it is not yet clear how it will affect practical relations between Iran and European countries. Analysts say such declarations reflect deeper geopolitical rifts rooted in disagreements over human rights, sanctions, and security policy. The IRGC itself has been controversial, with Western governments linking it to regional military operations and internal repression.
While the latest declaration is unlikely to trigger immediate changes on the ground, it signals a further deterioration in ties between Iran and parts of Europe. Diplomatic channels remain open, but both sides are warning of potential fallout as the dispute over how to handle Iran’s military forces continues.
