TEHRAN, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Araqchi denounced on Tuesday the EU's recent move to blacklist military wing of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group and political party, as a terrorist group.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Araqchi said " the EU's move was unprofessional and biased."
"We consider the decision by the EU a measure against the Lebanese people," said the spokesman, adding "Hezbollah is part of the political structure of Lebanon."
"We denounce this action and believe that such a decision will not affect the positions of Hezbollah (toward the regional developments), but will further complicate the situation in the Middle East," he stressed.
In April, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah acknowledged that his troops were assisting Syrian army in its fight against opposition fighters.
On Monday, the EU member states unanimously voted to blacklist military wing of Lebanon's Hezbollah, which had already been on the terrorist lists of the United States and Britain.
Hezbollah has enjoyed financial and military supports of Iran since its foundation in 1982 amid Lebanon's war with Israel.
Also, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi censured the EU over its decision to put the military wing of Hezbollah on its terrorist blacklist, according to Press TV.
"This purposeful move, which was made under the pressure of certain EU members, runs contrary to all political and legal principles, and is shocking and unacceptable," Salehi was quoted as saying.
"Labeling a resistance group, which has fought against aggression and invasion and has a lawful and popular presence in Lebanon's politics and government, as terrorist indicates the unsound logical basis of the action," he was quoted as saying.
The Iranian foreign minister went on to say that EU foreign ministers believe they can influence the Middle East developments through their decision despite the fact that they have adopted a wrong approach as a result of incorrect analyses of the crises and their double standards.
Salehi noted that the Islamic republic strongly condemns the latest EU decision against Hezbollah, and thinks that such a move will not change the "popular and righteous nature" of the Lebanese resistance movement.
He underlined that the EU move is certainly in line with the " illegitimate" interests of Israel, and has been made under pressure from Tel Aviv's European allies.
On Tuesday, Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon, Qazanfar Roknabadi, also lashed out at the EU for listing the military wing of the Hezbollah Movement as a terrorist organization, semi-official Fars news agency reported.
"The Islamic republic condemns the EU's decision for listing Hezbollah's armed wing as a terrorist organization because Tehran believes that Hezbollah is a resistance movement against the Zionist regime's threats," Roknabadi was quoted as saying.
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