The EU’s action against the IRGC is illegal and dangerous

In an interview with Taghrib News Agency(TNA), Hani‑Zadeh argued that the EU’s designation represents a hazardous precedent in international relations and could destabilize the global security environment.
He explained that the IRGC is a state military institution rooted in Iran’s revolutionary society and, over the past 46 years, has played a significant role in ensuring security, stability, and social order in Iran and the broader region. Its most notable contribution, he said, has been its frontline role in confronting extremist and terrorist groups.
Hani‑Zadeh noted that the IRGC has paid a heavy price in its fight against takfiri‑terrorist movements that threaten regional and global stability, sacrificing many of its members in the process.
He criticized European governments for an illegal and internationally inconsistent action, arguing that labeling such a widely respected institution as a terrorist organization reflects the influence of pro‑Israel lobbying networks within European decision‑making bodies.
He contrasted this with the global immunity enjoyed by the Israeli military, which he said is causing mass civilian casualties in Gaza and targeting anti‑Israel intellectuals worldwide. He argued that the EU’s move exposes the West’s double standard in defining terrorism—treating violence aligned with Western or Israeli interests as acceptable while condemning resistance to Israeli aggression.
From an international law perspective, he asserted that the EU’s decision constitutes a clear violation and could lead to dangerous repercussions, particularly for European states.
He warned that Islamic scholars, who hold significant influence in Muslim societies, might eventually issue a joint religious ruling that views European citizens in Muslim regions as representatives of Western powers, potentially prompting hostile reactions.
Hani‑Zadeh added that Iran has already outlined reciprocal measures and may designate Western militaries as terrorist organizations in response.
He emphasized that the EU’s decision will not hinder the IRGC’s operational activities; rather, it will strengthen its standing among Muslim populations. He argued that the move is part of coordinated pressure from the United States and Israel on European governments.
He also noted that the dismissive attitude of U.S. President Donald Trump toward Europe has pushed European states to align their political decisions with U.S. and Israeli interests. According to him, Israeli institutions and influential Jewish financiers in Europe played a role in shaping the EU’s decision, which he described as an attempt to isolate Iran.
Hani‑Zadeh concluded that the IRGC will continue its mission against terrorist groups regardless of Western political maneuvers. He argued that the IRGC has been a stabilizing force in the region, while the United States and Western governments view it as an obstacle to their strategic ambitions. He also linked the EU’s decision to reports of the transfer of hundreds of ISIS militants from Syria to Iraq by the U.S. and Israel, suggesting that the timing was not coincidental.