Why it matters:
This move fundamentally alters security and diplomatic calculations. Following this designation, any military cooperation or interaction between European forces and Iran, including naval maneuvers in the Persian Gulf or reconnaissance flights, could legally be considered "collaboration with a terrorist organization".
The big picture:
This action is rooted in a law passed by the Majlis, Iran's highest legislative body. It demonstrates that in the face of Western overreach, Iran does not merely resort to slogans or diplomatic complaints. Instead, it uses its "legal arsenal" and soft power tools to seize the initiative.
The announcement, made in an official statement on Saturday, comes as a direct response to the European Parliament’s resolution on February 19, 2026, which labeled Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a "terrorist" entity.
What they're saying:
The ministry described the EU's decision as a "violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law." Citing the Iranian law on "Counteraction against the U.S. Designation of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization" enacted in 2019, Tehran stated it is exercising its right to reciprocity.
"The European governments, contrary to international norms, have introduced the IRGC, a formal branch of Iran's armed forces, as a terrorist group. Therefore, based on the principle of reciprocity, we identify the naval and air forces of all EU member states as terrorist organizations," the statement read.
Iranian authorities emphasized that this measure is within the framework of national law and serves as a response to what they call an "illegitimate and unjustifiable" decision by the West.
What is the message of Tehran?
Tehran is signaling to Europe that the era of "carrots and sticks" and political impunity is over. Having spent years trying to balance transatlantic pressures, European nations are now paying the price for their overt decision to target Iran's official security institution. The IRGC is a symbol of Iranian sovereignty and deterrence; insulting it represents a red line for Tehran.
Go deeper:
IRGC Says EU Move Against It Aligns With US Policies
Hossein Amiri - Hossein Vaez
