Iran Condemns GCC’s Decision to Designate Hezbollah Terrorist Group

The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the decision of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf to designate the Hezbollah militant group a terrorist organization.

TEHRAN (Sputnik) – Iran has condemned the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) for its decision to designate the Hezbollah militant group a terrorist organization and serves Israel’s interests, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Morteza Sarmadi told Sputnik on Wednesday.

“We condemn the GCC’s statement on recognizing Hezbollah a terrorist organization,” Sarmadi said.

He said terrorist organizations in the area are known to everyone, but Hezbollah is a party that contradicts Israel’s policies.

“Recognizing it as a terrorist organization is part of the plot against the resistance and serves Israel’s purposes,” Sarmadi said.

Earlier on Wednesday, GCC designated the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group a terrorist organization.

"The GCC decided to consider the Hezbollah militia, with all its leaders, its factions and organizations affiliated and emanating from it, a terrorist organization," the GCC said in a statement.

Aside from the GCC, Hezbollah Shia Muslim movement is, partially or entirely, considered a terrorist organization by a number of countries including the United States, Israel and the European Union.