标签： Asia

Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei issued a stark warning to European nations on Friday, declaring that the European Union would face significant repercussions for its decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The strongly worded statement, broadcast through Iranian state television, characterized the EU’s action as a “hostile measure” that would not remain unanswered.

Ejei asserted that European countries would ultimately “suffer the consequences of their foolish act,” though he provided no specific details regarding the nature or timing of Iran’s planned response. The declaration represents the first official Iranian reaction to the EU’s landmark decision, which marks a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and Western powers.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, established following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, serves as a critical military, political, and economic force within Iran’s power structure. The organization maintains substantial influence over Iran’s security apparatus and controls strategic economic sectors through its extensive network of affiliated enterprises.

This development occurs against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Iran and European nations, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program, regional activities, and military cooperation with Russia. The EU’s designation follows years of diplomatic pressure and represents one of the most severe international actions taken against Iran’s military establishment.

Analysts suggest that Iran’s response could manifest through various channels, including potential escalations in regional proxy conflicts, adjustments to nuclear negotiation stances, or economic countermeasures targeting European interests. The situation underscores the continuing deterioration of EU-Iran relations and raises concerns about further destabilization in an already volatile region.

In a significant diplomatic development during Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s landmark visit to Beijing, China has removed sanctions against seven British parliamentarians previously blacklisted for their criticism of China’s human rights record. The move marks the first prime ministerial visit to China since 2018 and represents an attempt to reset strained UK-China relations.

Among those removed from the sanctions list is Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, a Labour peer who characterized the development as a “meagre return” on the diplomatic mission. While acknowledging the concession, Kennedy emphasized that securing the release of British citizen and media tycoon Jimmy Lai—currently imprisoned in Hong Kong under controversial national security laws—would have represented a more meaningful outcome.

The sanctioned parliamentarians, including four sitting Conservative MPs and crossbencher Lord Alton, were originally penalized in 2021 for their vocal criticism of China’s treatment of Uyghur minorities through their association with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China. The group has since criticized what they term the “selective lifting of sanctions,” maintaining that they will “take no comfort” in the decision while Lai remains imprisoned and Uyghur concerns persist.

Prime Minister Starmer confirmed to BBC that he raised both the Lai case and Uyghur treatment during discussions with President Xi Jinping “as you would expect.” The visit yielded additional agreements, including a commitment to halve import taxes on British whisky effective next week, though details on visa-free travel arrangements for British citizens visiting China remain unresolved.

The diplomatic reset has faced criticism from multiple quarters. Former security minister Tom Tugendhat, despite being among those removed from the sanctions list, characterized the deal as “frankly extraordinary and unbelievably bad” for Britain’s global standing. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who was previously denied entry to Hong Kong under circumstances she believes were intended to silence criticism, questioned the authenticity of a reset that ignores “the existence of secret bans.”

The UK government confirmed it has not reciprocated by lifting sanctions on any Chinese individuals, maintaining its position on human rights concerns even as it seeks to rebuild diplomatic and trade relations with Beijing.

A pivotal by-election in Greater Manchester’s Gorton and Denton constituency is shaping up as a dramatic ideological contest between environmentalists and right-wing populists. The Green Party has officially nominated local councillor Hannah Spencer as their candidate, setting the stage for a direct confrontation with Reform UK’s controversial nominee, GB News presenter Matt Goodwin.

The political showdown gained intensity when Labour’s leadership blocked Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham—a perceived potential challenger to Prime Minister Keir Starmer—from contesting the seat. This development has effectively transformed the election into a two-way battle between emerging political forces.

Hannah Spencer, 34, brings a distinctly local perspective to the race. A lifelong Greater Manchester resident, she serves as the Green Party leader on Trafford Council and works professionally as a plumber while training to become a plasterer. Her political awakening occurred post-pandemic, driven by frustration with growing wealth inequality and underrepresentation of working-class voices in Parliament.

In sharp contrast stands her opponent Matt Goodwin, a 44-year-old former academic from St Albans who has built a career studying and writing about national populism. The GB News personality has generated considerable controversy through his statements on ethnicity, Islam, and British identity, including assertions that millions of British Muslims hold values ‘fundamentally opposed to British ways of life.’

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has publicly condemned Goodwin’s record as demonstrating ‘anti-Muslim bigotry,’ pointing to his controversial social media posts questioning what constitutes British identity. These comments carry particular significance in Gorton and Denton, where 44% of residents belong to ethnic minorities and 79% identify as British.

Spencer framed the election as a referendum on divisive politics: ‘This is a chance for people to reject the usual stuff from the same old parties. We need to show that Reform only care about protecting their own interests and fuelling division, blaming migrants and Muslims.’

Beyond its local significance, political analysts are watching the by-election as a critical test for both Reform UK’s electoral viability and the Green Party’s ability to breakthrough in traditional Labour strongholds. The outcome may signal shifting political allegiances in post-industrial Northern constituencies and potentially reshape Britain’s political landscape.