Trump places Iranian Pasdaran on list of 'terrorist organisations'

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States is designating Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also called Pasdaran, a foreign "terrorist organisation", marking the first time Washington has formally labelled another country's military a "terrorist group".

Responding to the move, Iran immediately declared the US as "state sponsor of terrorism" and US forces in the region "terrorist groups", state media reported. 

Iran also condemned the US decision as an illegal act prompted by Tehran's regional influence and "success in fighting against Islamic State," Iranian state TV said, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS).

The US has already blacklisted dozens of entities and people for affiliations with the IRGC, but not the organisation as a whole.
 Shortly after Trump's Monday announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif sent a protest note over the US decision to the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which looks after the US interests in Iran.
He also urged Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to place US forces in the region on Tehran's list of "terrorist" groups, the foreign ministry said.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council said in a statement that the designation could endanger peace and stability in the Middle East and globally, according to Iranian state TV.
"This unwise and illegal measure is a major threat to regional and international stability and peace ... Iran labels the American regime as a supporter of terrorism," the statement read as quoted by state TV.
Netanyahu, a Trump ally, thanked the US president for the decision, saying the designation "serves the interests of our countries and of countries in the region".