In a significant move, the European Union (EU) has officially designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This decision follows the ongoing repression and violence within Iran, which French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described as “the most violent repression in Iran’s modern history.”
Background on the IRGC
Established shortly after the 1979 Iranian revolution, the IRGC is Iran’s most powerful armed force. It is estimated to comprise around 190,000 active personnel, possessing capabilities across land, air, and sea.
- The IRGC oversees Iran’s strategic weapons.
- It provides financial, military, and technological support to allied governments and armed groups.
- It controls the Basij Resistance Force, a paramilitary group within Iran, used to suppress dissent.
EU’s Sanctions and Responses
The EU’s decision is a considerable shift from its previous stance. Initially, there were reservations about blacklisting the IRGC due to concerns over diplomatic relations with Iran.
However, Italy’s strong push led the EU to reconsider. Kaja Kallas, the Estonian Prime Minister, remarked, “Any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise.”
Additional Sanctions Imposed
Alongside the designation of the IRGC, the EU also imposed new sanctions on six entities and 15 individuals in Iran. Notable figures among those sanctioned include:
- Eskandar Momeni (Interior Minister)
- Mohammad Movahedi Azad (Prosecutor General)
- Iman Afshari (Presiding Judge)
These individuals were implicated in the violent repression of peaceful protests and arbitrary arrests targeting political activists and human rights defenders.
International Context
Australia, Canada, and the United States have previously classified the IRGC as a terrorist group. However, the UK has not yet taken similar action. UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy condemned Iran’s oppressive tactics but maintained a longstanding policy of not commenting on specific organizations.
This designation by the EU highlights the ongoing international response to Iran’s actions against its citizens and its implications for regional stability.
