EU lists Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation
2722 Mins Read
The European Union has officially designated Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation. This decision was announced by the bloc’s top diplomat on Thursday and comes in response to Tehran’s severe and violent suppression of nationwide protests.
A Significant Shift in European Policy
By placing the Revolutionary Guards in the same category as groups such as Islamic State (IS) and al Qaeda, the EU has signalled a symbolic shift in its approach towards Iran’s leadership. This move reflects a recalibration in Europe’s stance, categorising the IRGC alongside some of the world’s most notorious terrorist organisations.
Background: The Role and Influence of the IRGC
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was established following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, with the primary purpose of safeguarding the authority of the clerical regime. Over the years, the IRGC has amassed substantial influence in Iran, controlling significant portions of the economy and the country’s armed forces. Additionally, the Guards oversee Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes.
Divisions Within the EU
Prior to this recent decision, there had been calls from certain EU member states to add the IRGC to the EU’s terrorist list. However, other member states exercised caution, expressing concerns that such a move might impede diplomatic communication with Iran’s government and potentially put European citizens residing in Iran at risk.
Triggering Event: Crackdown on Protests
Momentum for the EU’s decision intensified following a brutal crackdown on a nationwide protest movement earlier this month, during which thousands of individuals were killed. This escalation prompted the bloc to take firmer action against Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
