Iran promises 'crushing' response if U.S. designates Guards a terrorist group

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) - Iran promised on Monday to give a “crushing” response if the United States designated its elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group.

The pledge came a week before President Donald Trump announces final decision on how he wants to contain Tehran. He is expected on Oct 15 to “decertify” a landmark 2015 international deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program, a step that by itself stops short of pulling out of the agreement but gives Congress 60 days to decide whether to reimpose sanctions.

Trump is also expected to designate Iran’s most powerful security force, the Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, as he rolls out a broader U.S. strategy on Iran.

“We are hopeful that the United States does not make this strategic mistake,” foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA at a news conference. “If they do, Iran’s reaction would be firm, decisive and crushing and the United States should bear all its consequences,” he added.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-irgc/iran-promises-crushing-response-if-u-s-designates-guards-a-terrorist-group-idUSKBN1CE0M2

[nycbos]

1. I thought we already did a long time ago.

[Bradical79]

6. Just their Qud Forces -nt

[Zoonart]

2. Iranian Naval blockade of the Straight of Hormuz coming up.....

[pangaia]

3. Could be.

If so, the Omanis may have something to say about it.

[Not Ruth]

4. Do the Republican Guards operate outside the country, are they the equivalent of our intel agencies

Which should also be designated as terrorist groups by Iran

[Bradical79]

5. They opperate internally and externally

They have traditional military units, fund proxy terror groups, take part in assasinations, and crack down on internal descent. One of their divisions (Qud Forces) is already designated a terror orginization.

They also are a significant factor in Iran's economy, and are involved in spreading religious ideology. I don't know that there's a single equivilant in the U.S.

[Not Ruth]

7. Then the external component would probably be comparable to our CIA or Seals

Who Iran should now proactively designate as terrorists

[Bradical79]

8. Yeah they can, but it's very different in effect

It's different in that the terrorist organization designation is primarily economic in nature. Iran just can't do anything comparable to our country, whereas our designation of them as a terrorist organization could severely harm their economy.