Tensions Rise in Middle East as Iran Classifies EU Militaries as Terrorist Groups, Qatar Mediates
Tensions in the Middle East escalated as Iran classified all European Union militaries as terrorist groups on Sunday, a reciprocal move following the EU's designation of the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terror group. The announcement, made by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a former Guard commander, came amidst rising tensions between Iran and the West, with Qatar intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent further regional escalation.
The EU's decision to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group stemmed from its crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran, according to Euronews. In response, Tehran took what was described as a symbolic counter-measure, further intensifying the political escalation between Iran and Europe.
Meanwhile, Qatar was actively engaged in mediation efforts with regional partners to de-escalate the Iran crisis. According to Euronews, Doha was coordinating closely with Egypt and Turkey to maintain open diplomatic channels. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, in Tehran on Saturday, focusing on preventing a wider regional conflict.
Adding to the uncertainty, multiple explosions were reported in different Iranian cities on Sunday, with the most significant occurring in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Reports suggested that the explosions targeted an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facility, according to Euronews. Despite the explosions and a significant U.S. naval presence in the region, no major military strike occurred. The situation remained uncertain, with speculation surrounding potential actions by the U.S., as reported by Euronews.
In a separate development, Israel announced its intention to terminate the humanitarian operations of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Gaza, claiming the organization failed to provide a list of its Palestinian staff. According to Al Jazeera, the decision would further deprive Palestinians in the besieged enclave of life-saving assistance. Israel stated that it would prevent 37 aid organizations, including MSF, from working in Gaza from March 1 for failing to submit detailed information about their Palestinian employees.
In a sign of regional cooperation, grain wagons from Russia were dispatched to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory on Sunday, as part of the normalization process between Baku and Yerevan, Euronews reported. A total of 25 grain wagons, weighing 1,746 tonnes, were sent from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan. So far, a total of 285 wagons, carrying nearly 19,900 tonnes of grain, have been transported.
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