Iran issues a warning about potential regional conflict in the event of a US attack, labeling EU armies as ‘terrorists’
Iran’s leadership on Sunday issued a warning about the potential for a regional conflict should the U.S. launch an attack, further escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. In a retaliatory response, they labeled EU armies as “terrorist groups.”
The United States has increased its naval presence in the Middle East following President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to Iran regarding intervention if it did not reach a nuclear agreement or cease its actions against protesters.
In spite of the standoff between Iran’s clerical rulers and the Trump administration, both parties have indicated their willingness to return to negotiations, while regional allies like Turkey have pursued de-escalation efforts.
An Iranian official refuted a previous report by state-run Press TV, which claimed that the Revolutionary Guards’ naval forces were set to conduct live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday and Monday. The official informed Reuters that there are no such plans and that the media reports are inaccurate.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted on state media stating that despite Trump’s claims of sending ships to the region, “the Iranian nation shall not be scared by these things, the Iranian people will not be stirred by these threats”.
“We do not seek to initiate conflict or attack any nation, but the Iranian people will respond decisively to anyone who threatens or harasses them,” he stated.
The U.S. Navy has positioned six destroyers, one aircraft carrier, and three littoral combat ships in the region, heightening the potential for conflict following Iran’s lethal response in January to widespread protests against its leadership.
According to multiple sources cited by Reuters, Trump was considering various options against Iran, which include targeted strikes on security forces.
On Saturday, Trump informed reporters that Iran was “seriously talking” with Washington, shortly after Tehran’s leading security official, Ali Larijani, announced on X that preparations for negotiations were in progress.
Trump also stated: “I hope they reach an agreement that is satisfactory.” A negotiated agreement could be reached that would be acceptable without the presence of nuclear weapons.
Tehran has expressed its readiness for negotiations that are deemed “fair” and do not aim to limit its defensive capabilities.
The protests, initially sparked by economic difficulties, evolved into a significant political challenge to the Islamic Republic since its founding in 1979, but have since diminished following a crackdown.
Official figures indicate that the death toll related to the unrest stands at 3,117, whereas the U.S.-based HRANA rights group reported on Sunday that it has verified the deaths of 6,713 individuals to date. Reuters could not confirm the figures on its own.
In a significant move in reaction to the suppression of protests, the European Union on Thursday classified the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
In response on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that EU armies would also be classified accordingly, and that officials would consider the expulsion of military attachés from EU states. “By attempting to target the Revolutionary Guards… the Europeans effectively harmed themselves,” the speaker remarked to fellow lawmakers, who were all dressed in IRGC uniforms to show their support for the elite force.
Following his speech, lawmakers exclaimed, “Death to America, Shame on you Europe.”
