Iran Warns of Regional Conflict if US Attacks, Labels EU Armies as ‘Terrorists’

Iran’s leadership has warned that any US military attack could trigger a wider regional conflict, sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. The warning came as Iran announced retaliatory steps against Europe, including plans to designate European Union armies as terrorist groups, following recent political and security developments.

The United States has significantly increased its naval presence in the Middle East after President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened intervention against Iran if it failed to reach a nuclear agreement or halt its crackdown on protesters. The expanded deployment includes multiple US Navy destroyers, an aircraft carrier, and several combat ships operating in the region, raising concerns about the risk of direct confrontation.

Despite the heightened standoff, both Iran and the United States have indicated a willingness to resume negotiations. Regional actors, including Turkey, have also called for de-escalation to prevent further instability. Iranian officials denied reports that the Revolutionary Guards planned live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing the claims as inaccurate.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that Iran would not be intimidated by US military movements, stressing that the country does not seek to initiate conflict but would respond forcefully to any aggression. He emphasized that Iran would defend itself against threats or harassment, rejecting what he described as pressure tactics from Washington.

US officials have reportedly been considering several options, including limited strikes against Iranian security forces, as tensions intensified following Iran’s January crackdown on nationwide protests. President Trump later told reporters that discussions with Iran were underway, expressing hope for a negotiated settlement that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iranian authorities have maintained that they are open to fair negotiations that do not undermine their defensive capabilities.

The protests in Iran, initially sparked by economic difficulties, evolved into the most serious political challenge to the Islamic Republic in decades before subsiding after a forceful response by authorities. Official figures place the death toll in the thousands, while independent rights groups report significantly higher numbers, which could not be independently verified.

In a major diplomatic move, the European Union recently designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. In response, Iran’s parliament announced that EU military forces would be given the same designation, with lawmakers also discussing the possible expulsion of European military attachés. Iranian leaders criticized Europe’s actions as self-defeating, underscoring a deepening rift between Tehran and Western capitals as regional and global tensions continue to rise.