Iran has declared that it now considers European Union militaries to be terrorist organizations, in a tit-for-tat response to the EU’s recent decision to classify Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group.

The move marks a sharp escalation in already strained relations between Iran and European governments, coming amid broader regional and international tensions involving Tehran and Washington. Iranian officials condemned the EU’s designation, describing it as politically motivated and a violation of international norms.

Despite the confrontational stance, Iran’s president has called for diplomacy to prevail over conflict. In a public address, he urged dialogue with the United States to resolve ongoing disputes, warning that military confrontation would only deepen instability in the region. His comments come in response to renewed threats from Washington of possible military intervention.

Meanwhile, the US president announced that India would shift its oil imports away from Iran and instead purchase crude from Venezuela, a move seen as part of Washington’s broader effort to isolate Tehran economically through sanctions and pressure on its trading partners.