Iran strongly condemned on Thursday the European Union (EU)'s "hostile and provocative" decision to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a "terrorist organisation."

The EU foreign ministers agreed earlier in the day to add the IRGC to the bloc's terrorist list, EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said.

Denouncing the EU's move in a statement on Thursday, the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces warned that the European policymakers would be directly responsible for their move's "precarious" repercussions, according to the official news agency IRNA.

"The irrational, irresponsible, and hateful measure of the European Union has been undoubtedly aimed at unquestionably obeying the United States and Israel's hegemonic and inhumane policies and is indicative of the depth of the block's animosity and malice towards Iran's noble people, armed forces, security, and independence," the statement said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi also slammed the EU decision.

"Several countries are presently attempting to avert the eruption of all-out war in our region. None of them are European," he posted on social media platform X.

"Europe is instead busy fanning the flames. After pursuing 'snapback' at the behest of the United States, it is now making another major strategic mistake by designating our National Military as a supposed 'terrorist organisation,'" Araghchi said.

Describing the EU's designation as a "blatant hypocrisy," he said, "the EU's current posture is deeply damaging to its own interests. Europeans deserve better than what their governments have to offer."

The EU had blacklisted the IRGC over its handling of recent mass protests in Iran.

"'Terrorist' is indeed how you call a regime that crushes its own people's protests in blood," said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, welcoming the "overdue" decision.

Iranian authorities acknowledge that thousands were killed during recent protests, giving a toll of over 3,000 people, but say the majority were members of the security forces or bystanders killed by "rioters."

The European Union has also adopted visa bans and asset freezes on 21 state entities and Iranian officials – including the interior minister, prosecutor general and regional IRGC commanders. (Xinhua/AFP)