Iran announced that it now considers the armed forces of European Union member states to be “terrorist groups,” a move taken in retaliation for Brussels’ decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps under the same classification. The announcement was made by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf during a legislative session in Tehran.
The Iranian decision followed an agreement among EU foreign ministers to move forward with the designation of the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. European officials justified the move by citing Iran’s internal repression of protests and the Guard’s broader regional activities. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the step was taken in light of recent developments after years of internal debate within the bloc. She described the decision as a political signal, while refraining from outlining any immediate additional measures.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghji responded by accusing the European Union of worsening regional instability and committing what he called a serious strategic mistake. Tehran argues that the EU’s action undermines security efforts and increases the risk of confrontation. The announcement comes amid a tense domestic environment in Iran, marked by ongoing antigovernment protests and a forceful response by authorities. Human rights organizations have reported high casualty figures, while Iranian officials dispute those claims and accuse foreign actors of interference.
At the same time, pressure from the United States has intensified. President Donald Trump has reiterated his push for a new nuclear agreement and warned that military options remain possible if negotiations do not resume on terms acceptable to Washington. Trump has pointed to the presence of U.S. naval forces in the region as part of a broader deterrence strategy.
In response, Araghji said Iran is prepared both for negotiations and for defense, cautioning that any military conflict would not remain limited to a bilateral confrontation. Overall, the sequence of decisions and statements highlights a political and symbolic escalation involving Iran, the European Union, and the United States. While there are no immediate signs of direct military conflict, the increasingly hardened rhetoric and diplomatic measures continue to place the region under heightened strategic tension.
