Iran Slams EU Over IRGC Blacklisting, Calls Move a ‘Major Strategic Mistake’

Tehran: Iran sharply criticized the European Union after it designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist organization,” with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling the move a strategic error that undermines Europe’s own interests.

In a statement on Thursday, Araghchi said Europe’s decision comes amid efforts by several countries none of them European to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East. “Europe is instead busy fanning the flames,” he said, adding that the EU is repeating a “major strategic mistake” after previously pursuing the nuclear deal ‘snapback’ mechanism at the behest of the United States.

The snapback refers to a provision in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal allowing participants to reimpose UN sanctions if a party is found in significant non-compliance. In August 2025, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, collectively the E3 triggered the mechanism, citing Iran’s alleged violations. Tehran dismissed the move as “null and void,” arguing that the E3 had forfeited their compliance by failing to uphold their own commitments, including protecting Iran’s economic benefits after the U.S. withdrawal.

Araghchi also criticized the EU for what he called “selective outrage,” pointing out Europe’s lack of action on Israel’s operations in Gaza while rushing to impose measures on Iran. He described the blacklisting as a public relations stunt masking Europe’s “severe decline” as a global actor.

He further warned that an all-out regional conflict would heavily impact Europe, including through soaring energy prices, and stressed that the EU’s stance is “deeply damaging to its own interests.”

The EU decision follows a meeting of European foreign ministers and is expected to intensify tensions between Tehran and European capitals.