Tehran declares the US ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ in tit-for-tat move, while Rouhani vows to defend the elite forces.
President Hassan Rouhani has defended the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as protectors of Iran and said that the US decision to label the Iranian elite force a “terrorist group” was a mistake.
“The guards have sacrificed their lives to protect our people, our [1979 Islamic] revolution … Today America that holds a grudge against the guards, blacklists the guards,” Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television. In an unprecedented step, US President Donald Trump designated the IRGC a “foreign terrorist organisation” on Monday.
Tehran took retaliatory action by naming the US Central Command (CENTCOM) as a “terrorist organisation” and the US government as a “state sponsor of terrorism”.
Rouhani called the US decision a mistake and other Iranian officials have warned that it will endanger American interests in the region, where Iran is involved in proxy wars from Syria to Lebanon.
“This mistake will unite Iranians and the guards will grow more popular in Iran … America has used terrorists as a tool in the region while the guards have fought against them from Iraq to Syria,” Rouhani said.
Iran threatens nuclear production
Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the move was a “misguided election-eve gift to [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu”. Israelis are voting to decide if Netanyahu can win a record fifth term in office.
US labels Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps a ‘terror group’ (16:22)
Source: aljazeera.com
Sunday, May 3, 2026
