Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani in a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron has called the U.S. action in designating Iran’s Revolution Guards as a “terror” group, “a very provocative, dangerous and unprecedented in international relations”.
Rouhani underlined to Mr. Macron that based on a direct admission by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the U.S. decision was taken as a result of Tel Aviv’s request”.
The United States on April 8 designated the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), in effect condemning the main body of Iran’s military force.
Iranian leaders have reacted with anger and condemnation, with the Iranian parliament passing a resolution designating the U.S. military in the region as “terrorist”.
Rouhani also asked the French president to help speed up a European trade initiative to facilitate business dealings between Iran and European Union countries.
Iran’s president said that “The will of the Iranian government is to preserve regional security and prevent a rise in tensions”.
In the communique issued by Rouhani’s office there is no mention of Macron’s position regarding the U.S. decision to list the IRGC as a terrorist group.
The EU has also not shown any reaction to Washington’s move. The spokesperson for EU’s foreign policy has offered no comment on the issue.
