Following the European Union’s designation of the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, members of Iran’s parliament showed up at Sunday morning’s session wearing IRGC uniforms and chanted slogans against Europe, as well as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

In retaliation for the decision, Iran announced that it would classify European armies as terrorist organizations.

At the same time, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark new threat to Washington and its allies in the region. “The Americans must know that if they launch a war, this time it will turn into a regional conflict,” Khamenei said. He further claimed, “We are not the aggressors and do not seek to attack any nation, but the Iranian people will strike forcefully at anyone who attacks or provokes them.”

His comments came in response to the remarks by President Donald Trump about ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran. Speaking to reporters on Motzei Shabbos, Trump said that “Iran is seriously talking with Washington,” adding that he hopes that they could negotiate an acceptable deal that removes the nuclear weapons issue from the table.

Despite Khamenei’s belligerent tone, Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued a statement earlier that diplomatic progress was being made: “Contrary to the warlike atmosphere portrayed in the media, a framework for advanced negotiations is taking shape,” he wrote.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)