Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Clarifies, No Live-Fire Exercises Planned in Strait of Hormuz

The naval forces of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have no plan to carry out live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Iranian official. Earlier reports by some media outlets suggested these exercises were scheduled for February 1st and 2nd.

Iranian state-run Press TV reported that the force would hold military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on those dates, but an official stated there was no plan for such exercises and no official announcement had been made regarding them. Only erroneous reports by media outlets were mentioned.

In a separate development, Iran’s parliament speaker declared that European countries’ armed forces are considered “terrorist organizations” under Iranian law. He warned the EU would bear responsibility for consequences stemming from its designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group.

During a session at Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf noted Article 7 of the Law on Countering the Designation of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization. He emphasized that under this law, the armies of European countries are deemed “terrorist groups.”

Ghalibaf criticized what he termed the EU’s “irresponsible move” in designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization and claimed it was aligned with directives from US President Donald Trump and Israeli leaders.

In response to the EU’s decision, Iranian lawmakers wore uniforms of the IRGC during parliamentary sessions. They described the EU’s actions against their organization as “hostile.”

This development follows recent tensions between Iran and the United States. Tehran warned that any US attack would result in a swift and comprehensive response, while reaffirming its openness to negotiations provided conditions are fair, balanced, and noncoercive.