The European Union has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, ending years of internal debate and citing the group’s role in violent repression of protesters and serious human rights abuses.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the decision reflects the bloc’s stance that systematic repression and violence against civilians cannot go unanswered. The IRGC has played a central role in suppressing demonstrations across Iran, prompting calls within Europe for tougher action.
Alongside the designation, the EU imposed new sanctions on 15 Iranian officials and six organisations linked to human rights violations. These measures include asset freezes and bans on providing financial or material support. Sanctioned entities also include bodies involved in censorship, misinformation campaigns, and restrictions on internet access.
The move follows mounting concern over Iran’s internal crackdown and wider regional tensions. Tehran has condemned the EU’s decision, calling it a strategic mistake and accusing Europe of escalating instability.
The IRGC, an elite paramilitary force established after Iran’s 1979 revolution, operates independently from the regular army and answers directly to the country’s supreme leader. It has already been designated a terrorist organisation by several non-EU countries in recent years.