TEHRAN -- Iran has warned the European Union that any wrong measure against the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps would draw a “very harsh response” from Tehran, Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian said Sunday.
Amir-Abdollahian the remarks in a meeting with four Iranian lawmakers who have been put on the list of sanctions recently imposed by the European Union.
Commenting on the European Parliament’s push to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, the foreign minister said he had talked with the EU officials about the belligerent move two months ago when the issue was mooted.
Amir-Abdollahian said he made it clear to EU officials that if the IRGC was targeted which affected Iran’s sovereignty or the country’s official military force, Tehran’s “reaction and response would be very tough.
The Europeans themselves are aware of their state and vulnerabilities, he said, adding after the European Parliament’s approval of the non-binding resolution against the IRGC, the EU council of ministers debated the consequences and came to the conclusion that “they cannot play with fire.”
“So the EU opted for a second scenario and imposed sanctions on many Iranian entities and individuals, including the four lawmakers,” he stated.
The recent move by the European Parliament has been strongly condemned by Iranian officials, commanders, and armed forces.
In remarks at a parliamentary meeting last week, Parliament speaker Muhammad Baqer Qalibaf warned of swift retaliatory measure, including designation of European armies in the region as terrorist organizations.
On Sunday, the Iranian parliament’s deputy speaker warned of decisive response to European countries if they insist on pursuing hostile and aggressive policies against Tehran and fail to rectify their approach vis-à-vis the Islamic Republic.
“Over the past few months, the enemies of the Iranian nation have resorted to hybrid warfare to distort realities in the Islamic Republic. Now that they have miserably failed to achieve their objective, they are trying to exert pressure on Iran at the international level through various political scenarios,” Ali Nikzad said.
“Europe should know the fact that complying completely with the United States’ demands will further strip the European Union of its dignity and credibility before the world public opinion. We advise Europeans to come to their senses and not to sacrifice their interests for the sake of U.S. desires.”
Nikzad stressed that the IRGC is an official military force and that Iran will definitely respond to any desperate and unwise attempt to blacklist the force.
“The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Majlis (the Iranian parliament) has drawn up a relevant plan. We are waiting for Europeans to alter their stance. The Islamic Republic’s hands, though, would not be tied and would react to any belligerence, if they insist on their behavior,” he said.
“European statesmen and women should remember the time they were haunted by the fear of Daesh terrorists, and then be thankful for the sacrifices made by the heroic IRGC forces.”