Iran’s lawmakers on Tuesday (April 16) overwhelmingly approved a bill labeling U.S. forces in the Middle East as terrorist, a day after the U.S. terrorism designation for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard formally took effect.

According to Iranian media outlets, Defense Minister Amir Hatami introduced the bill authorizing the government to act firmly in response to “terrorist actions” by U.S. forces.  It demands authorities use “legal, political and diplomatic” measures to neutralize the American move, without elaborating.

The U.S. move aims at “thwarting Iran’s influence,” and shows that America’s longstanding sanctions against Iran have become ineffective, Hatami was cited as telling lawmakers.

During the debate, some hard-liner lawmakers even had demanded listing the entire U.S. Army and security forces as terrorist.

204 lawmakers reportedly approved the bill, out of 207 present at the session in the 290-seat chamber. Two lawmakers voted against the bill and one abstained.

Iranian media reported Tuesday that Instagram suspended accounts believed to belong to four Guard commanders, including its commander, Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari; the leader of the Guard’s foreign wing, or Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani; Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and one of his deputies, Gen. Musa Kamali. 

Recall, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said in early April that it has designated the United States Central Command, also known as CENTCOM, and all its forces as terrorist organization and labeled the United States as a “supporter of terrorism.”

Fars News Agency (FNA) reported the statement by Iran’s National Security Council on April 8.  It followed the U.S. announcement that it has designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization.

The statement from the Supreme National Council came after Iran’s foreign minister said he wants to include the Middle East-based U.S. military forces on his country’s “terrorist groups” list.