TEHRAN, Apr 10 -Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has defended the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), saying the country will not allow “outlaw bullies” to undermine the sacrifices of the force.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - The top Iranian diplomat met with IRGC commanders in Tehran on Wednesday, two days after the US designated the force as a terrorist organization.
In a post on Twitter following the meeting, Zarif hailed the sacrifices made by the IRGC and said Iran would not allow bullying powers to destroy its legacy.
“Honored to meet top cmdrs of #IRGC. Our armed forces sacrificed to defend our nation, region & the world against Saddam & ISIS. We'll never forget their sacrifice-nor will we allow outlaw bullies to destroy their legacy by fuelling insecurity & instability. Nor should the world,” said the tweet.
The administration of US President Donald Trump designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization on Monday through an official statement.
"This designation will be the first time that the United States has ever named a part of another government as a FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization)," Trump said in his statement, adding that "this action will significantly expand the scope and scale of our maximum pressure on the Iranian" government.
Following Trump's statement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned all banks and business of the consequences of dealing with the IRGC, saying, “Businesses and banks around the world now have a clear duty to ensure that companies with which they conduct financial transactions are not connected with the IRGC in any material way."
Shortly after the US move, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) slammed the US government as "supporter of terrorism," and designated American forces in West Asia, known as the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), as a "terrorist organization."
Zarif had proposed that the SNSC should add American forces in West Asia to its list of terrorist groups in the Islamic Republic.
The US had already blacklisted dozens of entities and individuals affiliated with the IRGC, but not the entire force.
Source: Press TV
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