Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has censured the European Union over its decision to put the military wing of Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah on its terrorist blacklist, Press TV reports.

“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 said late on Monday, July 22.

He added, “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.”

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 said that the Islamic Republic of Iran “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 said 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.”

“This action is somehow an act against the respectable and resistant Lebanese nation, because Hezbollah is a resistance force, which has its roots in the Lebanese society and is widely respected and honored by various Lebanese tribes,” Salehi said.

On Monday, EU foreign ministers added Hezbollah's military wing to their list of terrorist organizations.