Iran Escalates Diplomatic Row, Summons EU Ambassadors Over Revolutionary Guard Terror Designation
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In a significant escalation of tensions, the Iranian foreign ministry summoned the heads of mission for all European Union countries on Tuesday, delivering a formal protest against the EU's unprecedented decision to blacklist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The move, which follows years of pressure from some EU members and the European Parliament, marks a hardening of the bloc's stance towards Tehran's powerful military and ideological institution.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this irresponsible and provocative action," a senior Iranian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, told The Associated Press. "Designating a sovereign state's official military force as a terrorist entity is a dangerous precedent that violates international law and the principles of mutual respect." The IRGC, founded after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, controls vast economic interests and a foreign-facing arm, the Quds Force. The EU's listing is largely symbolic but could complicate any future negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and regional activities.
Analysts suggest the diplomatic summons is likely the first in a series of retaliatory measures from Tehran, which has repeatedly warned that such a designation would be met with a "proportional and decisive response." The EU's decision, long debated internally, reflects growing frustration over Iran's military support for Russia in Ukraine and its crackdown on domestic protests. This fracture further dims prospects for reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, with diplomacy now at a near standstill.
Reactions & Analysis
"This was an inevitable, if regrettable, step. The IRGC's activities, particularly the Quds Force's role in regional conflicts and suppression of dissent, left the EU with little choice but to act. However, slamming diplomatic doors helps no one. We need channels open, especially with the nuclear file in limbo." — Dr. Anya Schmidt, Senior Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
"Finally, the EU shows some spine! For years, the IRGC has spread terror across the Middle East and threatened European security. Labeling them what they are—a terrorist organization—is the bare minimum. Tehran's tantrum only proves the designation hit its mark. Appeasement has failed; it's time for unwavering pressure." — Markus Vogel, Security Policy Analyst, in a sharply worded comment.
"The immediate practical impact may be limited, but the political signal is profound. It effectively closes the door on treating the IRGC as a normal state actor within EU policy frameworks. The risk is a tit-for-tat escalation that isolates Iran further and makes any de-escalation exponentially harder." — Fatima Al-Nasser, Gulf-based Political Risk Consultant.