EU Moves to List Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as Terror Group Over Civilian Protest Crackdown

Brussels: The European Union appears to be set to impose new sanctions on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in response to Tehran’s violent suppression of nationwide protests, officials and diplomats said Thursday. The move marks a significant shift in Brussels’ approach to Iran and comes as foreign ministers meet in the Belgian capital to finalise the measures.

EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas told reporters she expects member states to agree to list the IRGC — the powerful paramilitary force at the heart of Iran’s government and economy — on the bloc’s terrorist organisation list, a step that would align the EU with the U.S., Canada and Australia in treating the corps as a terror entity. She said the designation is justified because the group’s actions are akin to those of internationally recognised terrorist organisations.

In a related action, the EU has already approved sanctions targeting 15 Iranian officials, including senior Revolutionary Guard commanders, for their role in the crackdown on protesters. The restrictive measures include travel bans and asset freezes against individuals deemed responsible for serious human rights abuses.

The anticipated designation and sanctions are a response to a brutal suppression of nationwide demonstrations sparked by economic hardship and political grievances, during which rights groups estimate that thousands of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands arrested. Tehran has sharply criticised the proposed terrorist listing, warning of “destructive consequences,” and has repeatedly portrayed the unrest as a foreign-instigated threat to national security.

Support for the tougher stance has grown within the EU after initial hesitation from some capitals, with France, Germany, Italy and Spain backing the move despite concerns about its diplomatic impact. Under EU rules, listing the IRGC as a terrorist group requires unanimity among the 27 member states, a threshold that reflects the bloc’s cautious but firm response to what many see as an unprecedented human rights crisis.

The sanctions action highlights mounting international pressure on Iran as it grapples with the fallout from the protests and diplomatic isolation, even as Brussels emphasises that maintaining channels of communication with Tehran remains essential.