TEHRAN/BERLIN (WNN): Iran sharply escalated rhetoric with the United States and Europe on Sunday, warning that any U.S. military strike would ignite a wider regional conflict and announcing a retaliatory move to designate European Union armies as “terrorist organisations.”
The warning comes as Washington increases its military footprint in the Middle East. The United States has deployed an aircraft carrier, multiple destroyers, and littoral combat ships to the region after President Donald Trump repeatedly warned Tehran of possible intervention if it refuses to reach a nuclear agreement or continues its violent suppression of protests. Despite the mounting tensions, both Washington and Tehran have simultaneously signalled openness to renewed diplomacy. Regional actors, including Turkey, have urged restraint and de-escalation to avoid a direct military confrontation in one of the world’s most volatile theatres.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed U.S. military threats, saying Iran would not be intimidated by American deployments. While stressing that Tehran does not seek to initiate war, he warned that any attack would be met with a “strong and decisive response.” An Iranian official also denied earlier state media reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy planned live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz, calling those reports inaccurate. The denial appeared aimed at preventing further escalation around the strategic waterway through which a significant share of global oil exports pass.
The standoff follows weeks of unrest inside Iran, where nationwide protests over economic hardship evolved into the most serious political challenge to the Islamic Republic since 1979. While the demonstrations have largely subsided after a forceful crackdown, casualty figures remain contested. Iranian authorities cite just over 3,000 deaths, while the U.S.-based HRANA rights group claims the toll exceeds 6,700 figures WNN has not independently verified.
The diplomatic crisis deepened after the European Union formally designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation last week, citing its role in repressing protests. In response, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, announced that EU armed forces would also be labelled as terrorist entities. He added that Tehran may consider expelling European military attachés.
Addressing parliament, where lawmakers wore IRGC uniforms in a show of solidarity, Qalibaf accused Europe of strategic self-harm. Lawmakers concluded the session with chants denouncing both the United States and Europe, underlining how far relations have deteriorated.
Meanwhile, Trump said Iran was “seriously talking” about negotiations, echoing comments by senior Iranian official Ali Larijani that preparations for talks were underway. Tehran insists it is open to “fair” negotiations, but not at the cost of its defence capabilities.
– Jane Lawson from WNN Newsroom
