EU Refutes Iran’s Labeling of EU Armed Forces as Terrorist Organizations

(MENAFN) The European Union said on Monday that it does not accept Iran’s decision to classify European military forces as terrorist organizations, emphasizing that engagement with Tehran should continue to be part of its diplomatic approach.

Responding to questions about Iran’s announcement, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni addressed reporters during a midday briefing, stating: "We reject the announcement of listing of EU armies as such and the accusation of terrorism altogether."

He noted that, despite heightened tensions following the EU’s move to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, communication channels are expected to remain open. Referring to previous comments by the EU’s foreign policy chief, he said: "We expect diplomatic channels to remain open after the decision of listing IRGC as part of the EU terror list," adding that "maintaining open channels with Iran must also be part and remain part of our toolbox, as part of our engagement when it is required with our counterparts."

Addressing reports that European ambassadors had been summoned in Tehran, El Anouni described such actions as routine under international norms, calling it "a diplomatic practice that is part of the Vienna Convention." He declined to elaborate further, saying: "I will not here go into details in terms of what member states, when and how."

Iran’s move to brand European armed forces as terrorist entities followed the EU’s earlier decision to apply the same label to the IRGC, a step taken amid Iran’s crackdown on protests linked to deteriorating economic conditions, according to reports.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the measure was adopted under "Article 7 of the Law on Countermeasures Against the Declaration of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organisation."

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