The European Union has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in response to Tehran’s brutal suppression of nationwide protests. The announcement was made by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, who confirmed that the bloc’s foreign ministers reached a unanimous decision on the designation.
Kallas emphasized the severity of Iran’s actions, stating, “Any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise.” She added that the EU’s move places the IRGC on the same level as internationally recognized terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Daesh.
In addition to the designation, the 27-member EU bloc imposed sanctions on 15 Iranian officials, including senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guard. These measures target individuals believed to be directly responsible for the violent crackdown on demonstrators across Iran. Activists report that the unrest has resulted in the deaths of at least 6,373 people, highlighting the scale of the government’s suppression.
Iran has not issued an immediate response to the EU’s decision but had recently criticized European countries as discussions over the designation were underway.
The EU’s move follows similar actions by other Western nations. The United States and Canada have already classified the IRGC as a terrorist organization, citing its role in both domestic repression and international destabilization. The designation by the EU represents a significant escalation in international pressure on Tehran, signaling coordinated Western condemnation of the Iranian regime’s handling of dissent.
