Germany dismisses Iran's terrorist label for EU militaries

Germany has sharply rebuked Iran's decision to label the military forces of European Union member states as terrorist organizations, dismissing the move as a "baseless" and "propagandistic" retaliation. The statement from Berlin comes directly after the EU formally designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization on January 29. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made it clear that Tehran's countermeasure would not change the European position, setting the stage for a further deterioration in diplomatic relations.

A firm defense of the EU's IRGC designation

Minister Wadephul firmly defended the European Union's controversial step against the IRGC, describing it as correct and long overdue. He directly linked the designation to the Iranian force's domestic and international conduct, accusing it of "violently suppressing peaceful protests, executing members of the opposition, and spreading terror to Europe." Wadephul argued that such actions invalidated Tehran's criticism, stating, "Those who violently suppress peaceful protests... cannot deflect criticism with political diversionary tactics." He also reaffirmed Germany's political support for Iranian citizens seeking a better life.

Iran's parliamentary declaration and warning

The German response was triggered by a declaration from the Iranian parliament speaker earlier on Sunday, which formally categorized the armed forces of EU countries as terrorist organizations under Iranian law. The Iranian official warned that the European Union would bear responsibility for the consequences of its actions against the IRGC. This tit-for-tat escalation marks a new low in Iran-EU relations, moving beyond economic sanctions into the symbolic and legal realm of mutual terrorist designations, which complicates any potential diplomatic or security dialogue.

Broader EU backing and regional implications

The German position is firmly aligned with the broader European consensus. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, announcing the IRGC listing last week, stated that "repression cannot go unanswered," referencing Tehran's crackdown on domestic protests. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen similarly welcomed the agreement as "long overdue." This unified Western stance contrasts with the approach of regional powers like Türkiye, which often emphasizes engagement and dialogue over isolation, viewing such reciprocal designations as counterproductive measures that heighten tensions and reduce the space for negotiated solutions to regional security issues.