Iran declares European armies 'terrorist groups'

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s parliamentary speaker announced on Sunday that the country considers the armies of European countries to be “terrorist groups” following the European Union’s designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The EU on Thursday added IRGC to its terrorist list in response to Tehran's crackdown on the recent anti-government protests. 

"I announce that, in accordance with Article 7 of the law on reciprocal action in response to the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, the armies of European countries will be considered terrorist groups, and the consequences of this action will be the responsibility of the European Union," Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was quoted by the state-run IRNA news agency as saying during a session on Sunday.

In an act of defiance, members of the Iranian parliament and Ghalibaf wore IRGC uniforms during Sunday’s session and chanted slogans of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

"The irresponsible action of the European Union in making the baseless accusation of labeling the sacred Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization—carried out in obedience to the orders of the US president [Donald Trump] and the leaders of the Zionist regime—has accelerated Europe’s path toward becoming irrelevant in the future global order," Ghalibaf said. 

The move comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and US over Tehran's nuclear program. Ali Larijani, a top Iranian security official, said late Saturday that framework for talks between Washington and Tehran was taking shape. Hours later Trump confirmed to reporters that Iran "is talking to us."

The IRGC is a powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces, tasked with protecting the Islamic Republic and wielding significant influence over the country’s political, economic, and security affairs. Western governments have long accused it of human rights abuses at home and destabilizing activities abroad.

Iran has faced widespread protests since late December, sparked by public anger over political repression and economic hardship. Security forces have responded with a harsh crackdown. While the exact death toll remains unclear due to internet blackouts and restricted access for journalists, thousands of protesters and security personnel are believed to have been killed.