European Armies Considered Terrorist Groups Under Iranian Law

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking in a pre-session address at the open parliamentary session on Sunday, Qalibaf marked the anniversary of the return of Imam Khomeini to Iran and the beginning of the Ten-Day Dawn commemorations of the Islamic Revolution. He said the victory of the revolution ended foreign domination over Iran and restored courage to a nation that had experienced foreign occupation, coups, and territorial losses under what he described as dependent and ineffective governments.

He stated that a strong, independent, and unified Iran is the main obstacle to what he called the long-term plans of global powers, adding that hostility toward the Islamic Republic stems from its success in building such a state based on Iranian and Islamic culture. He referred to Imam Khomeini’s political and religious testament, emphasizing unity and shared purpose as the foundations of the revolution’s survival.

Quoting the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Qalibaf said the endurance of the revolution depends on the same factors that led to its victory: a divine motivation and a high national objective, along with nationwide unity around those goals. He warned that abandoning these principles through division and internal discord would undermine the country.

The parliament speaker stressed that both officials and citizens are responsible for upholding this guidance. He criticized prioritizing factional interests over national ones, calling for genuine belief in national unity. Qalibaf said addressing people’s livelihoods, improving economic conditions, and listening to legitimate public demands and protests must remain top priorities.

Turning to foreign policy, he condemned what he described as the European Union’s “irresponsible action” in labeling Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, saying the move was made in line with the policies of the U.S. president and Israeli leaders. He argued that such actions accelerate Europe’s marginalization in the future global order.

He added that previous warnings about pro-Zionist currents seeking to intimidate Iran and other independent nations through media pressure had proven accurate. Qalibaf said Iranians view the IRGC as part of their own society, crediting it with providing security and playing a key role during natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, reconstruction efforts, and poverty alleviation. He said external pressure on the IRGC has instead strengthened public solidarity in support of the force.

He claimed European efforts to undermine the IRGC amounted to “shooting themselves in the foot,” arguing that the force had been a major barrier to the spread of terrorism into Europe. He accused European governments of blindly following U.S. policies at the expense of their own citizens’ interests, adding that such actions were intended to appease Washington, which he said does not respect its allies.

Describing the IRGC as the world’s most distinctive anti-terrorism institution, Qalibaf said it played a decisive role, alongside regional populations, in defeating ISIS and eliminating what he called a global terrorist threat. He noted that the force had suffered hundreds of casualties in the fight against terrorism, including senior commander Qassem Soleimani.

He concluded by stating that, backed by the Iranian people and what he described as oppressed nations worldwide, the IRGC will continue to grow stronger. He said hostility from what he called supporters of terrorism would not diminish its power. “Under Article 7 of the law on reciprocal action in response to the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, the armed forces of European countries are considered terrorist groups,” he said, adding that responsibility for the consequences lies with the European Union.