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”.
A(nother) misguided election-eve gift to Netanyahu. A(nother) dangerous U.S. misadventure in the region.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 8, 2019
