Rouhani

In retaliation to President Donald Trump’s decision to declare the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organisation, the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday signed a bill designating all American forces in the Middle East as terrorists.

Although it is not clear what impact the bill will have on US forces in the region, the bill which was passed last week by the Iranian parliament also declared the US government as a sponsor of terrorism. 

The bill specifically labels the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for US military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan as a terrorist organisation.

Rouhani also instructed Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Armed Forces and the country’s Supreme National Security Council to enforce the law with immediate effect.

The Asian country had warned that it would retaliate against the US after Trump’s decision, saying that its officials ‘will answer any action taken against the force with a reciprocal action’.

“We will answer any action taken against this force with a reciprocal action. So the leaders of America, who themselves are the creators and supporters of terrorists in the (Middle East) region will regret this inappropriate and idiotic action,” Iranian lawmakers said a day before Trump announced his decision.

Trump began escalating tensions with Iran when he pulled out of the nuclear deal last year and re-imposed sanctions on the country.