JERUSALEM, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Monday praised U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to designate Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organization.

The Israeli foreign ministry issued a statement, saying it was a "significant move" that marks a new phase in the U.S. efforts to pressure Iran. "Iranian terror is a threat that has to be fought," the statement read.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for the move. "Once again you are keeping the world safe from Iran aggression and terrorism," Netanyahu wrote on his Twitter account.

Netanyahu considers Iran as Israel's biggest enemy. He has been a vocal opponent of any negotiations with Iran, including the 2015 nuclear deal to curb the Islamic republic's nuclear program.

Trump's announcement is expected to further worsen U.S.-Iran relations.