Iran considers European armies as terrorist groups in retaliation for IRGC designation: Parliament speaker
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says Iran considers European countries’ armies as terrorist groups in a counter-measure against the European Union’s blacklisting of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
He made the remarks during an open session of Parliament on Sunday, three days after EU foreign ministers classified the IRGC as a “terrorist” entity in a move denounced as “unlawful, unjustified, and duplicitous” by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
“The IRGC is the world’s most unique anti-terrorism institution, which, with the help of the people of the region, brought down the Daesh rule and eliminated the global threat of this terrorist group,” he said.
“In its path of fighting international terrorism, the IRGC has offered hundreds of martyrs, including one of its greatest and most experienced commanders, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani,” he added.
“The enmities of the world’s terror supporters will not diminish the IRGC’s power. I announce that under Article 7 of the law on reciprocal action against the [US’s] declaration of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, the armies of European countries are considered terrorist groups, and the EU bears responsibility for the consequences of this action.”
The IRGC was proscribed by the US in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s first term, by Canada in 2024, and by Australia in 2025. The EU followed suit on Thursday, citing Iran’s response to recent foreign-linked riots.
The designation came at a time when the United States had escalated its bellicose threats against Iran and built up a military presence in the region.
Foreign ministry statement denounces EU FMs' decision regarding armed forces
— Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran (@IRIMFA_EN) January 30, 2026
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the unlawful, unjustified, and duplicitous decision of the Foreign Ministers of the #EuropeanUnion to level baseless… https://t.co/SSIvKlBYi8
Qalibaf slammed the EU’s “irresponsible” move to level baseless accusations at the IRGC.
He added that the 27-member bloc’s decision, which was taken “in compliance with the orders of the US president and the leaders of the Zionist regime, accelerated Europe’s path to becoming irrelevant in the future world order.”
The top legislator also noted that the EU’s move increased the Iranian people’s support for the IRGC, which has protected their security and stood by their side in difficult times, such as floods, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic, while engaging in construction works and efforts to alleviate deprivation across the country.
“By trying to deal a blow to the IRGC, which was the greatest obstacle to the spread of terrorism to Europe, the Europeans actually shot themselves in the foot and once again made decisions against their people’s interests through blindly obeying the Americans,” he warned.
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