IRAN will take reciprocal action against the United States if Washington designates the elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as terrorists, a majority of Iranian parliamentarians said Sunday, according to state news agency IRNA.

The United States is expected to designate the Revolutionary Guards a foreign terrorist organization, three U.S. officials said, marking the first time Washington has formally labeled another country’s military a terrorist group.

“We will answer any action taken against this force with a reciprocal action,” a statement issued by 255 out of the 290 Iranian lawmakers said, according to IRNA.

“So the leaders of America, who themselves are the creators and supporters of terrorists in the Middle East region, will regret this inappropriate and idiotic action.”

The U.S. decision, which critics warn could open U.S. military and intelligence officials to similar actions by unfriendly governments abroad, is expected to be announced by the State Department, the U.S. officials said last week. The move has been rumored for years.

Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday U.S. officials aiming to designate the IRGC as terrorist wanted to “drag the U.S. into a quagmire” on behalf of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel and Iran are arch-enemies in the Middle East.

Zarif appeared to be implying that classifying the Guards as terrorists would draw them into conflict with U.S. forces in the region.

Netanyahu has described the Tehran government as a “terrorist regime” that threatens the world and promotes attacks worldwide in the name of radical Islam. Iran denies this.

IRGC commander Mohammad Ali Jafari also chimed in Sunday over the pending U.S. designation, warning the U.S. military would lose all the security it enjoyed in West Asia.

“With this stupidity, the American army and security forces will no longer have today’s calm in the West Asia region,” Jafari was quoted as saying by semi-official Fars news agency.

(SD-Agencies)