Daily brief
The European Union has formally designated Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, marking a significant policy shift. The decision is linked to the group's role in cracking down on protests within Iran and places the powerful military and economic institution under the bloc's sanctions regime for terrorist entities. Germany had warned the EU would act rapidly on the listing.
Iran has strongly condemned the EU's decision, calling it a 'major strategic mistake' and unlawful, while its military leadership vowed a 'crushing response' to any potential attack and announced the integration of 1,000 new drones into its army.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps is planning to conduct live-fire military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened regional tensions and a continued U.S. military presence.
U.S. officials, including Senator Marco Rubio, have hinted at a 'preemptive strike option' against Iran as the U.S. bolsters its military force in the Middle East, with an additional warship being sent to the region.
Turkey has arrested six people suspected of spying for Iran, with their alleged targets including a NATO-run air base.