Iran declares EU forces as terrorists, escalates tensions over nuclear issue

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Iran has declared the naval and air forces of European Union member countries as terrorist organisations. The decision has been taken in response to the earlier move by the European Union to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group in 2019.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the EU’s action as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. It said the latest decision has been taken as a reciprocal step under the country’s law on countermeasures against nations supporting the US move. According to Iran, any country backing the decision against the IRGC will face similar action.

The European Union had earlier placed the IRGC in the same category as extremist organisations such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, leading to a sharp rise in diplomatic tensions.

Formed after the 1979 revolution, the IRGC has a major role in Iran’s defence structure and also oversees important missile and nuclear programmes.

At the same time, pressure on Iran has increased from the United States and Israel over its uranium enrichment activities. Donald Trump has warned Iran to reach a nuclear agreement with the US soon or face serious consequences.