In response to the inclusion of the Revolutionary Guards on the list of terrorist organizations, Iran has summoned the ambassadors of the EU countries and is considering reciprocal measures. The tension in the region continues to escalate.
On Sunday and Monday, Iran summoned the ambassadors of the member countries of the European Union operating in the Islamic Republic. This is in response to the EU’s decision to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization for its role in violently suppressing nationwide protests. TASR informs about it according to AP and AFP reports.
The ministers of foreign affairs of the EU member states reached a political agreement on this step on Thursday and should formally confirm it in the coming days or weeks.
Summons of ambassadors
The spokesman for Iranian diplomacy, Esmáil Bakaji, said that Tehran started summoning the ambassadors already on Sunday and the process continued on Monday. “A series of measures has been examined, various options are being prepared and sent to the relevant decision-making authorities. We think that in the next few days a decision will be made on the reciprocal measures of the Islamic Republic of Iran against the illegal, disproportionate and very wrong step of the EU,” Bakaji added.
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baker Kalibaf, announced on Sunday that Tehran considers the armed forces of EU countries to be terrorist groups.
In view of the deteriorating security situation and growing tension, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár, decided in mid-January to evacuate the staff and temporarily close the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Tehran. It was temporarily moved to neighboring Azerbaijan.
