Iran Officially Designates EU Member States’ Naval and Air Forces as Terrorist Entities in Retaliation for IRGC Listing
The Government of Iran on Sunday, February 23, 2026, officially announced the designation of the naval and air forces of member states of the European Union as “terrorist entities.” The decision was formally released in Tehran on February 23, 2026, following the European Union’s earlier move in early February 2026 to include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on its terrorist list.
In an official statement issued by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran, the government described the measure as a “legal and proportionate reciprocal action.” Iranian authorities argued that the EU’s designation of the IRGC was politically motivated and inconsistent with international legal principles and state sovereignty. The statement emphasized that Iran’s countermeasure was adopted within the framework of its domestic legal system.
The escalation began in early 2026 when the European Parliament pushed for expanded sanctions against the IRGC, citing security concerns and alleged regional military activities. The political initiative progressed into a formal EU decision to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The designation included asset freezes and travel bans targeting individuals and entities allegedly linked to the corps.
In response, Iranian authorities summoned several ambassadors and diplomatic representatives of EU member states to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran in mid-February 2026 to deliver formal protest notes. During those meetings, Iranian officials warned that the EU’s action could seriously damage bilateral relations and complicate ongoing diplomatic channels.
Subsequently, Iran’s parliament deliberated possible countermeasures. By the weekend leading up to February 23, 2026, recommendations from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council were approved, paving the way for the formal designation of EU member states’ naval and air forces as terrorist entities under Iranian domestic law. The announcement was made publicly in the capital, Tehran.
According to the official statement, any military activity conducted by the naval or air forces of EU member states in areas considered sensitive by Iran could be subject to legal consequences under Iranian law. Tehran characterized the decision as defensive in nature and intended to counter what it described as hostile political actions by the European bloc.
For its part, the European Union expressed regret over Iran’s decision and reaffirmed that its listing of the IRGC was carried out through established internal legal mechanisms. EU officials stated that the measure was based on security considerations and did not target the Iranian population as a whole. As of February 23, 2026, there was no indication that the EU intended to reverse its decision.
The development marks a significant escalation in relations between Iran and the European Union in 2026. With the announcement made in Tehran on February 23, 2026, diplomatic tensions have intensified, raising concerns about regional stability, particularly in strategic waterways such as the Persian Gulf. International observers note that the reciprocal designations could further strain diplomatic engagement and complicate broader geopolitical dynamics.