Iran to designate EU armed forces as terrorist if same is done to IRGC

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A member of the Iranian parliament's presidium, Ahmad Naderi, confirmed on Friday that the Iranian parliament will enforce legislative amendments that would recognize armed forces of EU member states under the category of terrorist organizations if the EU proceeds to place the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on its terrorist list.

Naderi was quoted by Iran's ISNA news agency as saying: "The parliament has prepared... draft amendments to the law on responsive measures to US' recognition of the IRGC as a terrorist organization... The draft will affect all EU member states, their armed forces, their organizations and institutions that will put the IRGC on the terrorist list," 

This is in response to the European Parliament's adoption on Thursday of the resolution to impose additional sanctions against Iran over the West-backed riots in the country, in addition to alleged arms supplies to Russia and 'international espionage'.

Read more: Former Iranian official Alireza Akbari executed on spy charges

During a phone call on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell that the EU Parliament's decisions would ignite negative consequences and further called on the EU to start considering positive cooperation with Iran.

Calling to suspend the JCPOA

Just on Wednesday, the European Parliament held a session and voted on the proposal, noting that the results are non-binding. The vote was approved with 598 countries voting in favor, 9 against, and 31 abstentions.

Read next: UK IRGC 'terrorist' label risks placing ally forces under same title

Swedish Member of the European Parliament, Charlie Weimers, said in a Tweet that "the EU Parliament has today voted to call for the EU and its Member States to include the IRGC on the EU’s terrorist list. The amendment of my group (@ecrgroup) was passed with an overwhelming majority."

Weimers added, "Tomorrow, I hope members will take the next step & call to suspend JCPOA."

On that note, the Spokesperson for Iranian Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Abolfazl Amoui described the EP's decision as an "act of sabotage" and stressed that the "Shura Council will respond seriously to this negative and undiplomatic measure." 

‼️The EU Parliament has today voted to call for the EU and its Member States to include the IRGC on the EU’s terrorist list.

The amendment of my group (@ecrgroup) was passed with an overwhelming majority.

Tomorrow, I hope members will take the next step & call to suspend JCPOA. pic.twitter.com/LBw8jeIMNY

— Charlie Weimers MEP 🇸🇪 (@weimers) January 18, 2023