IRAN summoned all European Union ambassadors today to protest against the bloc’s decision to list the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, as regional tensions continued to rise.

The move came after the United States deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers to the Middle East, fuelling fears of a wider conflict. 

It remains unclear whether President Donald Trump will authorise military action.

The EU agreed last week to designate the Revolutionary Guard over its role in the bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in January, which killed thousands and saw tens of thousands detained. 

The US and Canada have previously taken the same step. 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said EU ambassadors began being summoned on Sunday and that the process continued into today. 

“A series of actions were reviewed, various options are being prepared and were sent to the related decision-making bodies,” he said, saying that a decision on “reciprocal action” would be taken in the coming days.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker said the Islamic Republic now considers all EU militaries to be terrorist groups under a 2019 law. 

Mr Baghaei also confirmed that a Revolutionary Guard drill in the Strait of Hormuz was under way, following warnings issued to ships last week.

US Central Command warned Iran not to threaten warships, aircraft or commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway. 

Satellite images showed small, fast-moving vessels consistent with the Guard’s tactics operating away from commercial shipping lanes.

Meanwhile, Iranian prosecutors filed charges against state television officials over a programme mocking those killed in the crackdown. 

Rights groups estimate at least 6,842 people were killed, far higher than official figures, though Iran published a partial list of names for the first time.