Iran’s firm response to EU action against IRGC

Pars Today – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, in response to what it called the illegal move by the European Union against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, designated the naval and air forces of all EU member states as terrorist organizations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, in a statement issued in response to the unlawful and unjustified decision of European Union member states on February 19, 2026, said that EU member states, in violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, have designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—an official component of Iran’s armed forces—as a terrorist organization.

The statement added that the government of Iran is acting on the basis of the principle of reciprocity and in accordance with Article 7 of the 2019 Law on Countermeasures Against the U.S. Designation of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization.

It further stated that all countries that in any way follow or support the decision by the United States to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization will be subject to reciprocal measures.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran stated that the naval and air forces of all European Union member states will be subject to the aforementioned law, including Article 4, and therefore the government of Iran will, within the framework of reciprocal measures, designate them as terrorist organizations.

The decision by EU member states to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity is a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

According to the UN Charter, states are obliged to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries and refrain from interference in the internal structures of other states.

Labeling part of the official armed forces of a country as a terrorist organization undermines that country’s military and security sovereignty and is considered an illegal act under international law.

Relying on the principle of reciprocity and Article 7 of the 2019 law, Iran considers its action against the European Union a lawful and proportionate response.

Under this law, any country or entity that supports the U.S. decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization will be subject to reciprocal measures.

The IRGC is, under Iran’s constitution, an official component of the country’s armed forces. Therefore, any pressure or interference against it is regarded as a direct targeting of Iran’s national defense structure.

Iran’s decision to designate the naval and air forces of EU member states as terrorist entities can be seen as a strategic and multidimensional response to what it describes as a hostile and interventionist Western approach toward a core element of its defense system.

Politically, the move signals the foreign policy independence and assertiveness of Iran, demonstrating its unwillingness to yield to Western pressure. Declaring European military organizations as terrorist entities may serve to alter one-sided political equations and convey to the European Union that its actions will not go unanswered.

The decision may also contribute to strengthening internal cohesion and public support for Iran’s armed forces, as segments of society view it as a symbol of defending national dignity and sovereignty surrounding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran’s reciprocal designation of European military forces as terrorist entities signals a security red line for Iran, where threats against its armed forces are regarded as threats to national existence and sovereignty.

At the strategic level, the move serves as a warning that Iran will use its legal and political instruments to respond to any interference in its defense and security affairs.