Brussels: Iran has dramatically escalated diplomatic tensions with the European Union by declaring that the armed forces of EU member states are “terrorist organizations,” in a direct response to the bloc’s recent listing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group. The unprecedented move underscores the widening rift between Tehran and Western capitals over human rights, regional policy and legal definitions of terrorism.
The announcement was made by Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, who said Tehran now considers EU militaries terrorist entities because they collectively supported the EU decision to place the IRGC a key arm of Iran’s military and security apparatus on Europe’s terrorism blacklist. Qalibaf criticized the EU for acting under the influence of the United States and said “the consequences will fall on the European countries that undertook such an action.” Iranian lawmakers reportedly wore IRGC uniforms during the declaration, adding symbolic weight to the statement.
The backdrop to this diplomatic flashpoint is the EU’s resolution last week to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, after months of deliberations among the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers. The decision, described by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as a response to Iran’s lethal suppression of nationwide protests, places the IRGC alongside internationally recognized terror groups such as al-Qaida and ISIS on the bloc’s terrorism list. This designation is expected to trigger asset freezes, travel bans and bans on financial support for the Guard and related entities.
European capitals have framed the move as a principled response to serious human rights violations during the protests, which erupted amid widespread discontent and government crackdowns. The Guardian reported that this blacklisting also carried sanctions on individuals and organizations tied to censorship and repression, reinforcing the EU’s broader stance on accountability.
Iran has vehemently rejected the EU’s decision, with its Foreign Ministry calling the terrorist designation “illegal” and “hypocritical,” arguing that the IRGC is an integral part of the nation’s legitimate defense forces. Iranian officials accuse the EU of violating international law, engaging in political posturing, and siding with external powers particularly the U.S. and Israel against Iran’s sovereign interests. Tehran has also suggested that the EU’s move is aimed at appeasing geopolitical allies rather than advancing genuine concern for human rights.
Reports indicate the Iranian armed forces have warned that Europe will face consequences for its designation, claiming the action reflects hostility towards Iran and its security institutions. These statements emphasize that the IRGC, created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to safeguard the Islamic Republic, remains central to Iran’s defense and regional policies.
While Iran’s declaration that EU militaries are “terrorist” organizations is largely symbolic and unlikely to result immediately in enforcement actions against European forces, analysts warn it highlights how definitions of terrorism are being contested politically and diplomatically. Such moves could further weaken diplomatic engagement, complicate negotiations on sanctions relief, and escalate mistrust between Iran and Western partners at a time of heightened Middle East tensions.
The confrontation reflects not just legal brinkmanship but broader disputes over human rights, sovereignty and international norms, with implications for energy markets, regional stability and global geopolitical alignments.