German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Sunday slammed Iran over its decision to designate European Union militaries as terrorist groups, a move that came in response to the EU adding Iran’s elite paramilitary force to its terror list.
Wadephul described Iran’s announcement as “baseless” and “propagandistic.”
“We will not be intimidated in our stance,” Germany’s top diplomat said said before embarking on a trip to South-East Asia and the Pacific region.
Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said earlier on Sunday that Iran now considers the militaries of European Union states to be “terrorist groups,” citing 2019 legislation.
It comes after EU foreign ministers decided on Thursday to designate Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization over the bloody crackdown on recent anti-government protests.
The move was considered largely symbolic as the IRGC is already sanctioned by the EU for human rights violations.
“Europe wants to please its master, America, with these measures,” was quoted as saying Ghalibaf in parliament by Iranian news agency ISNA.
Videos published by Iranian media showed lawmakers clad in IRGC uniforms in a show of solidarity.
Some were chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” with raised fists.
Tensions between the US and Iran are running high following Tehran’s deadly crackdown on the nationwide protests. US President Donald Trump expressed support for the demonstrations and said he would take “very strong action” against Iran if it executed protesters.
Disputes have since flared over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. Trump said this week that “a massive armada is heading to Iran,” suggesting he could launch an attack “with speed and violence.”
Iran has said it is ready to resume negotiations with the US, while insisting it will maintain full control over its defence capabilities.
The US became the first country worldwide to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group during Trump’s first term in 2019.
The Iranian parliament responded by passing a law on countermeasures, including the possibility to classify foreign militaries as terrorist groups.
Wadephul said Iran’s response did not change the fact that “the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are a terrorist group.”
“Those who violently suppress peaceful protests, execute members of the opposition and spread terror to Europe cannot deflect criticism with political diversionary tactics,” the minister said, assuring Iranians looking for a better life of “our political support.”
The IRGC is Iran’s elite military force and far superior to the regular army. In recent decades, the force has not only undergone a massive rearmament, but also expanded its social and economic influence – for example, through investments in hotel chains and airlines.