Iran labels EU naval, air forces as ‘terrorist organizations’ in reciprocal move

Iran has declared the naval and air forces of all European Union member states as “terrorist organizations” following the bloc’s move to add the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) to its terrorist list.

In a statement on Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the “reciprocal” move comes following the EU member states’ “unlawful and unjustified” decision to label a part of the Islamic Republic’s Armed Forces.

It added that the EU member states have designated the IRGC, which is recognized as one of the pillars of Iran’s Armed Forces, as a terrorist organization, contrary to the fundamental principles and rules of the United Nations Charter and international law.

The statement emphasized that, based on the principle of reciprocal action and a parliamentary law, the Iranian government is compelled to respond with proportional legal measures.

The ministry was referring to Article VII of a law passed by the Iranian Parliament in April 2019 regarding reciprocal actions in response to the US designation of the IRGC.

According to the article, all countries that in any way follow or support the decision of the United States to designate the IRGC s as a terrorist organization shall be subject to reciprocal action.

The European Union added the IRGC to its terrorist list in response to Iran's measures against foreign-backed rioters who violently wreaked havoc across the country on the invitation of a monarchist and the public incitement of US and Israeli leaders in late December and early January. 

Foreign-backed armed rioters and terrorists hijacked peaceful, sporadic protests over economic grievances on January 8 and 9 and turned them into scenes of murder, torching of mosques, clinics, ambulances, commuter buses and destroying public and private property. 

Iranian authorities have confirmed that US and Israeli spy agencies were directly involved, providing funding, training, and media support to rioters and armed terrorists acting on the streets.

On Thursday, the EU Foreign Affairs Council formally added the IRGC to the bloc’s terrorist list following a political agreement reached by the council on January 29.

The IRGC will also be subject to restrictive measures under the EU counterterrorism sanctions regime. This includes the freezing of its funds and other financial assets or economic resources in EU member states, and the prohibition for EU operators to make funds and economic resources available to the group.

There are now 13 persons and 23 groups and entities subject to the restrictive measures under the so-called EU terrorist list.

IRGC: EU's terrorist labeling aligns with US interventionism

The IRGC says the EU move to add the elite force to its so-called terrorist list signifies alignment with the US interventionist policies.

In a statement on February 1, the IRGC said the European Union's decision shows its alignment with the interventionist policies of the United States.

“Such moves will not only fail to weaken the resolve and missions of the IRGC but will instead strengthen internal cohesion and increase national determination to safeguard the country's interests and security,” the statement added.

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