Iranian Judiciary Chief Calls for Reciprocal Moves If US Blacklists IRGC

Addressing a meeting of high-ranking officials of the Judiciary in Tehran on Monday, Raeisi said like other evil acts by Washington, the possible move to label the IRGC as a “terrorist group” is doomed to failure. 

“A country, which has nothing in its record but arming, leading and granting refuge to terrorist currents, regards as terrorist the official armed force of another country that has always been the pioneer in helping people and defending Islamic movements,” he said.

“Although this (possible) measure would have no political or legal value for governments and nations of the world… it would be proper that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Supreme National Security Council counteract it,” the Judiciary chief went on to say. 

The administration of US President Donald Trump is expected to designate the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization as early as next week, according to a US official.

The designation decision, formally under the State Department's purview, has been made as part of the White House's increasingly aggressive strategy towards Iran.

The US has already blacklisted dozens of entities and individuals affiliated with the IRGC, but not the entire force.

The IRGC, which has roughly 125,000 military personnel and enjoys growing public support, is also actively cooperating in construction, infrastructure and relief projects.

On Sunday, the majority of Iranian lawmakers expressed their full support for the country’s Armed Forces, particularly the IRGC, pledging to respond in kind to any action taken by the US against the elite force.

In a statement read out at the Iranian Parliament, 255 lawmakers emphasized that the security of Iran and its Armed Forces are major red lines for the country’s parliamentarians.

“In case of any measure by the US president or any other institution against the IRGC, we will start a double-urgency reciprocal measure, which will make the US leaders, who have been behind the formation of terrorist groups in the region and supported them, regret their stupid move," the Iranian lawmakers’ statement said.

It added that the IRGC is one of the greatest achievements of the Iranian people, which has its roots in the Article 150 of the Iranian Constitution as a branch of the country’s Armed Forces … and has helped regional governments and nations a great deal in the fight against terrorism.