Tehran hits back at Saudi Arabia, Bahrain for supporting the US decision on IRGC

Tabnak – Despite the widespread negative reactions of the international community to the recent American decision to blacklist the IRGC, some of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf have supported the move. While condemning those countries for their hostile approach, the Islamic Republic warns the US of the consequences of its decision.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman took a swipe at Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for welcoming the US decision to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) a “terrorist group”, reminding Riyadh and Manama that such worthless stances could not hide their role in sponsoring terrorism.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bahram Qassemi strongly condemned the Saudi and Bahraini support for the US move against the IRGC, saying that such amateurish and unwise stances contravene the principles of non-interference and respect for the sovereignty of other states.

Decrying the Saudi and Bahraini backing for Washington’s decision as a desperate and passive admiration of the US president’s anti-Iranian measures, the spokesman said such stances adopted by Riyadh and Manama reveal their short-sighted policies, lack of a proper understanding of the realities in the region, and ignorance of the consequences of the US adventurism and strategic mistakes that damage regional stability and security.

“A number of countries in the region have gotten used to blind obedience to their trans-regional masters. These countries are themselves the chief promoters of terrorist teachings and ideologies in the region and world, and have spared no effort and opportunity to support terrorist groups in recent decades,” Qassemi added.

The spokesperson underlined that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are in no position to adopt stances against Iran by acting deceitfully, adding that such worthless stances could not divert the world’s public opinion from their role in sponsoring terrorism.

Meanwhile, Iran’s most senior military body vows to “spare no effort” in fighting the “terrorist” American forces operating in West Asia, a day after Washington blacklisted the country’s elite Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic made the pledge in a statement issued on Tuesday, after Washington formally designated the IRGC as “a foreign terrorist organization.”

The statement said it had reciprocally designated the US administration as a “supporter of terrorism” and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) -- including all its affiliated bases, units, and forces -- “a terrorist organization” pursuant to a decision by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), the country’s top security body.

Following this “unwise” move by the United States, the General Staff “will be treating all the forces enlisted with CENTCOM as terrorists,” the statement read. “The General Staff will spare no effort in supporting the IRGC’s counter-terrorism measures in fighting the terrorist CENTCOM,” it added.

The statement comes as Turkey, Qatar, China, and Iraq have separately denounced US President Donald Trump’s recent move.

Donald Trump released a statement on Monday designating the IRGC “a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.”