In retaliation for labeling Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist, Iran passes bill labeling US Army a terrorist organization as well; Iran and Pakistan announce joint-reaction force on shared border; Iran responds to US ending sanctions waivers Tuesday.

Iran designated the United States Army as a terrorist organization, Iranian lawmakers voting to pass a bill in Iran’s parliament. The move is in retaliation for the United States officially labeling Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization a few weeks ago.

A reported 173 out of 215 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill in Tehran on Tuesday after it warned the United States earlier this month against designating the Corps as terrorist, releasing a statement at the time, “the leaders of America, who themselves are the creators and supporters of terrorists in the region, will regret this inappropriate and idiotic action.” Prior to the vote, Iranian officials last week labeled US soldiers in the region as terrorists.

The move comes as the United States announced it would end sanction waivers to states purchasing oil from Iran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed the move would further damage Iran’s economy in hopes to curb its nuclear and missile programs. Iran’s Parliament head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, responded to Pompeo’s announcement on Tuesday morning, claiming Iran’s oil sales would not lower 1 million barrels a day, despite the United States’ efforts.

Also this week, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani announced a “joint-reaction force” with Pakistan on its shared border. The joint border security force is a response to violent attacks from Iranian armed groups and terrorists. Earlier this month, Iran and Iraq announced enhanced air defense cooperation, Iran’s Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri stating, “Since air threats on Iraq and Iran are possible from the direction of the western borders, we decided to launch close cooperation in the field of air defense between the two countries.”

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