EU Labels Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a Terrorist Group
In a crucial policy shift, the European Union (EU) has formally designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This move, prompted by Iran's violent crackdown on nationwide protests that have resulted in mass killings, aligns the EU with the United States and Canada in their stance towards the IRGC.
Background and Context
The IRGC, a prominent paramilitary organization in Iran, has been significant in suppressing the demonstrations that have swept across the country since December 28. The EU's decision ends years of division over the issue and is a response to Iran's brutal repression of protestors.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, remarked on the decision: Repression cannot go unanswered,
she said on Thursday. Any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise.
Key Developments
In addition to the terrorist designation, the EU has also imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iranian officials and entities, including Tehran’s military support for Russia. The EU's move puts the IRGC on the same footing as Hamas, al-Qaeda, and ISIS.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the designation and the sanctions package, commenting that terrorist
is indeed how one describes a regime that kills thousands of its own people. I welcome the political agreement on new sanctions against the murderous Iranian regime,
von der Leyen wrote. And on the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. This was long overdue.
The EU's decision was also supported by France, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stating that France will support the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the European Union's list of terrorist organizations.
Reactions and Implications
However, the decision has drawn strong criticism from Iran. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, has condemned the EU for blacklisting the IRGC. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi referred to Europe's move as another major strategic mistake.
Israel, on the other hand, has welcomed the decision, stating that it would ease the process to build cases against IRGC members as countries would only have to prove ties to the group, not involvement in a specific terror plot.
Conclusion
The EU's decision to label the IRGC as a terrorist organization marks a significant shift in its policy towards Iran. Despite the backlash from Iran, the European Union stands firm on its decision, citing the violent repression of protestors and mass killings in Iran as the primary motivator for this move. The implications of this decision on the EU's relations with Iran and the broader geopolitical landscape remain to be seen.