The European Union is likely to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, signaling a significant shift in Brussels' foreign policy toward Tehran. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that these remarks were made by Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
"We will impose new sanctions against Iran. We will also designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. This will place it in the same category as Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and ISIS. If you act like a terrorist, you should be treated like a terrorist," Kallas stated. She emphasized that the decision is a response to the regime's violent crackdown on domestic protests, noting that the measures aim to send a clear signal that there is a heavy price for human rights violations and the suppression of civilians.
The EU's top diplomat also noted that the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers will feature a dense agenda, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Kallas revealed that work is underway to include Russia on a blacklist related to money laundering. "I believe that any measure that forces Russia into real negotiations is a good thing, and that is how we will move forward," she added. This move aligns with broader international efforts to increase economic pressure on Moscow and curb its ability to finance military operations through illicit financial channels.
The designation of the IRGC as a terrorist entity would represent a major escalation in EU-Iran relations, potentially freezing the group's assets across the 27-member bloc and prohibiting EU citizens and businesses from providing it with funds or economic resources. Historically, the IRGC has played a dominant role in Iran's economy and military strategy, and such a move by the EU follows similar designations previously made by the United States and other Western allies.
