The Iranian regime declared this Sunday (1st) the armed forces of European Union (EU) countries as terrorist organizations, in retaliation for the bloc’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization following the repression of protests.
“In accordance with Article 7 of the Law on Reciprocal Measures in Response to the Designation of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization, the armed forces of European countries will be considered terrorist groups,” Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said during a parliamentary session, cited by the news agency Tasnim, affiliated with IRGC.
The agency also reported that Qalibaf instructed Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee to declare the military attaches of European Union countries in Iran as terrorists.
Tehran summoned all ambassadors from European countries present in the country to inform them of the decision.
“Between yesterday and today, all European countries and EU member states with embassies in Tehran were summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the protest of the Islamic Republic of Iran was formally communicated to them in writing,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei at a press conference.
The diplomat described the action as “a minimum measure” and indicated that Tehran is considering “a series of actions” and “retaliatory measures” in response to the EU decision, which he called “illegal, unjustified and seriously erroneous”.
Iranian regime releases protest symbol protester on bail
Protester Erfan Soltani, 26, who became a symbol of protests against the Iranian regime, was released on bail, according to information from the Norwegian-based human rights organization Hengaw and Iranian state broadcaster Press TV.
He was arrested on January 10 at his home in Fardis and charged with “meeting and conspiracy against the country’s internal security” as well as “propaganda activities” against the regime, according to state broadcaster IRIB.
After his detention last month, the U.S. State Department and Soltani’s family said Iranian authorities planned to execute him, but Iran’s judiciary rejected the allegation as “fabricated news.”
The protester’s family later said the execution had been postponed, amid pressure from President Donald Trump against the Iranian regime. Trump warned Tehran that the execution of protesters would receive a “strong response” from the US.
