Iran’s Parliament warns of ‘shocking, stinging’ response to Europe’s anti-Tehran bids

“Over the past few months, the enemies of the Iranian nation have resorted to hybrid warfare to distort realities in the Islamic Republic. Now that they have miserably failed to achieve their objective, they are trying to exert pressure on Iran at the international level through various political scenarios,” Ali Nikzad said on Sunday.

He added that “Europe should know the fact that complying completely with the United States’ demands will further strip the European Union of its dignity and credibility before the world public opinion. We advise Europeans to come to their senses and not to sacrifice their interests for the sake of US desires.”

As to Europe’s attempt to add the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) to its terror list, Nikzad stressed that the IRGC is an official military force and that Iran will definitely respond to any desperate and unwise attempt in this regard.

 “The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Majlis (the Iranian parliament) has drawn up a relevant plan. We are waiting for Europeans to alter their stance. The Islamic Republic's hands, though, would not be tied and would react to any belligerence, if they insist on their behavior,” the senior Iranian legislator pointed out.

“European statesmen and women should remember the time they were haunted by the fear of Daesh terrorists, and then be thankful for the sacrifices made by the heroic IRGC forces,” Nikzad said.

The European Parliament on January 18 adopted an amendment which was added to an annual foreign policy report, calling on the EU and its member states to include the IRGC on their terror list. The parliament also passed another resolution the following day, calling for more sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities and putting the IRGC on the EU terrorist list over alleged human rights violations during the recent riots.

This is while Iran’s intelligence bodies have found footprints of American and other Western spy agencies in recent violent riots inside Iran which claimed the lives of dozens of people and security forces.

The move by the European Parliament has been strongly condemned by Iranian officials, commanders, and the Armed Forces.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Nikzad stated that the Friday attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran was carried out with personal motives.

The attack “caused disquiet among us and we are conducting [legal] follow-ups on the matter,” he said, urging people to avoid forming any snap judgment.

The assailant was arrested after killing one and injuring two others.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi ordered a thorough investigation into the attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also condemned the Friday armed attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy, saying the enemies should not be allowed to take advantage of the incident, which was not an act of terrorism.