Iran’s Doctrine of Reciprocal Terrorist Designation

In reaction to the EU’s designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, Tehran is signaling legal and operational countermeasures—ranging from limiting Western protections to threatening key maritime chokepoints—at the same time, a major U.S. regional buildup is compressing decision-time and raising the risk of near-term kinetic escalation.

Reciprocal terrorist designation: Iran’s Majlis is moving to label EU member-state militaries as terrorist entities, creating a domestic legal basis to treat European forces and assets as “hostile” rather than protected state actors.

Maritime pressure: Tehran is threatening to “lock” the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that a terror-designated IRGC Navy is no longer constrained by conventional maritime norms; live-fire activity in/near the Strait is expected in the coming days.

Suspension of security cooperation: Iran is signaling an end to intelligence coordination with Europe on ISIS, narcotics, and human trafficking, paired with warnings that Europe will face heightened threat exposure without IRGC “containment.”

“Mohareb” rhetoric: Senior messaging has used “mohareb” (enmity/waging war against God) for President Trump and PM Netanyahu, framing them in the regime’s discourse as criminal enemies—language that can be used to justify extreme “revolutionary justice” narratives.

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January 31, 2026; 20:15

The European Union's decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization has triggered aggressive backlash from Tehran, marking a profound rupture in Iran-Europe relations. Characterizing the move as a "major strategic mistake" and a violation of sovereign immunity, Iranian officials, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have shifted from diplomatic engagement to an active posture of retaliation.

This response spans from the symbolic, such as the Majlis designating all EU military forces as terrorists, to the highly tactical, with IRGC commanders threatening to bypass international maritime norms in strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Framed domestically as a defense against "Western Hybrid War," Iran's response signals a transition toward a more confrontational regional policy, in which European security and energy interests are now explicitly viewed as legitimate targets for "revolutionary justice."

Official Diplomatic and Political Reaction

​Abbas Araghchi (Foreign Minister): labeled the EU decision a "major strategic mistake." He said that the EU's role in the region is diminishing, accused Europe of selective outrage, and warned that this move would effectively close diplomatic channels and exacerbate regional instability. He signaled that Iran holds Europe responsible for any "spillover of insecurity" that might affect European energy and maritime interests. Larijani added, "I must say that if it were not for the IRGC, Europeans would be facing ISIS today in Paris or another city in Europe. Unfortunately, Europe was ungrateful in this matter, and we know they will regret it. I must also say that in a reciprocal reaction, we too—through the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis)—can place European armies on the list of terrorist groups".

"major strategic mistake."

Ali Larijani The Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC): "The European Union certainly knows that according to the resolution of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the armies of the countries that participated in the recent European Union resolution against the Revolutionary Guard are considered terrorist [entities]...Therefore, the consequences lie with the European countries that took such action."

​Majlis ( Parliament) Retaliation: The Iranian Parliament swiftly passed a resolution designating the armed forces of all EU member states as "terrorist organizations," legally authorizing Iranian forces to treat EU assets as hostile targets. Senior lawmakers, including the Speaker of the Majlis, said that Iran's response would not be limited to rhetoric and that European military assets in the region are now viewed through the same lens as ISIS. Majlis Speaker: "A strong, independent, and unified Iran is the primary obstacle to the long-term plans of the global arrogance system. The enmity toward the Islamic Revolution of Iran exists precisely because it has succeeded—by relying on the Iranian and Islamic culture of its people, in creating a strong, independent, and unified nation." Qalibaf added that the irresponsible action of the European Union in leveling baseless accusations and labeling "the holy Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity, carried out in compliance with the orders of the U.S. President and the leaders of the Zionist regime, has accelerated Europe’s path toward irrelevance in the future global order. The IRGC is the most unique anti-terrorist institution in the world, which, with the help of the people in the region, toppled the ISIS government and eliminated the global threat of this terrorist movement. In the path of fighting terrorism, it has sacrificed hundreds of martyrs, including one of its greatest commanders, General (Qasem) Soleimani.

The Guardian Council (GC) :

• has termed the EU’s move as a "dangerous heresy" in international law, arguing it violates the principle of sovereign equality by labeling a formal state military branch as a terrorist group.

• backed the Majlis resolution to designate European militaries as terrorist organizations.

• Explicitly stated that European capitals must now bear the "heavy costs" and "severe consequences" of any resulting regional tensions.

• Framed the EU's decision as a "blockage of strategic thinking" and a sign of Europe's total submission to American-Zionist pressure, effectively signaling the end of rational diplomatic engagement with Brussels.

• Highlighted a "moral collapse" in Europe, contrasting the designation of the IRGC (the "frontline force against ISIS") with Europe's perceived silence regarding Gaza

​Summoning of Envoys: The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Italian ambassador (representing the leading voice in the EU push) and the rotating EU presidency representative to deliver a "stern protest," warning of "destructive consequences" for bilateral relations. The director general of the West Europe Department at Iran's Foreign Ministry, Alireza Yousefi, summoned Paola Amadei to formally protest the "irresponsible" remarks by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani about the IRGC. Yousefi said the IRGC is "an official and legal component of Iran's armed forces, warning that any attempt to label it as a terrorist organization would carry "destructive consequences."

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​ Military and Security Reactions

​IRGC Commanders: High-ranking commanders characterized the EU move as an "act of desperation" following the failure of Western-backed protests. They asserted that the IRGC is a formal state institution and that labeling it a terrorist entity violates international law and sovereign immunity.

​Sardar Radan (Police Chief):called the statement "insolent" and claimed it would only strengthen the "iron will" of the Iranian armed forces to continue their regional activities.

The Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) stated:

• "The arrogance front has intensified its onslaught against the IRGC.

• The material and spiritual supporters of Zionism and the ISIS terrorist group, who are angry at the victorious confrontation of the brave men of the IRGC against Zionist and terrorist proteges, are making their enmity against the Army of Islam more apparent every day, as the Revolutionary Guard is on the front line of the fight against the state terrorism of America and the Zionist regime.

• The MOIS stands proudly alongside its brothers and sisters in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to ensure the security of Iran and the region".

  
  

MOIS stands proudly alongside its brothers and sisters in the IRGC

Threats to Maritime Security: Media outlets close to the security establishment (Mashregh) hinted that Iran could "lock" strategic chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that if Iran's official military is treated as a terrorist group, it is no longer bound by traditional international maritime norms.

​Ideological and Psychological Warfare

​"The Language of Force": Mashregh News and Javan newspaper framed the EU decision as part of a "Hybrid War" led by the U.S. and Israel. Their commentary suggests that Europe has "surrendered its sovereignty to Washington" and that only a "crushing response" (Pasokh-e Faragir) will deter further Western sanctions.

​Targeting Leaders: Editorials suggested that European leaders who supported the bill are now "legitimate targets" for legal and "revolutionary" justice, similar to the "Mohareb" designation applied to Trump and Netanyahu.