IRGC Popular in Region: President Rouhani
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani cautioned against the repercussions of a planned move by the US to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group, saying the IRGC is popular not only in Iran but also in regional countries.
If the US government makes the mistake of taking action against the IRGC, it would be a double mistake, President Rouhani said during a cabinet session held in Tehran on Wednesday.
“The IRGC is not just a military unit, but it has been in the hearts of the (Iranian) people and has defended our national interests in all times of danger,” he stressed.
Rouhani further said the IRGC is also popular in Iraq because it has saved Baghdad, among Iraq’s Kurds because it has saved Erbil, and among the Syrian and Lebanese people because of its major efforts to combat terrorism.
US President Donald Trump is expected on October 15 to “decertify” a landmark 2015 international deal about Iran’s nuclear program, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Trump is also expected to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, as he rolls out a broader, more hawkish US strategy on Iran.
In comments on Sunday, IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said if speculations about the US administration’s “stupid decision” to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization are true, the IRGC will, in turn, treat the US military around the world, particularly in the Middle East, as Daesh (ISIL) forces.
