Top commander blasts EU for blacklisting Hezbollah’s armed wing

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces for Cultural Affairs and Defense Publicity Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri deplored the European Union for listing the military wing of the Lebanese Hezbollah Movement as a terrorist organization, calling it a desperate move. EU governments on Monday agreed to list the armed wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist group, although the EU ignored pressure from the US and Israel to ban the Lebanese organization outright, allowing contacts with its political representatives. “If the European Union thinks that it could gain scores in other regions and situations by exerting pressure on Hezbollah, it is badly mistaken …,” Jazayeri added. He pointed to the EU leaders’ move in the footsteps of Washington and the Zionist lobby, and said, “… it is of much regret to see that European elites keep mum on the inhuman measures of their governments.” “Failure of the state terrorism waged by the US, Europe and their regional allies in Syria as well as the victories of the region’s Islamic resistance movements have made the enemies of the resistance so angry that they name Hezbollah fighters as terrorists in a passive and desperate move,” Jazayeri said. The decision by EU foreign ministers came after months of wrangling among member states, who needed to agree the ban unanimously. But there was condemnation from Beirut, where the government had described Hezbollah as "an essential component of the Lebanese society". Leading politicians warned the move would play into the hands of Israel. The Lebanese al-Manar TV channel, reported, "Israel has imposed its will on Europe."