On Thursday, the European Union formally designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, following a recommendation from EU foreign ministers made in January. This decision, announced by the European Council, means the Revolutionary Guard will face stringent penalties, including the freezing of assets and financial transactions, as well as prohibitions on financial support and economic ties with the organization. By categorizing the Revolutionary Guard alongside groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, the EU reflects a significant shift in its stance towards Iran's leadership.

The announcement highlights that starting today, 13 individuals and 23 organizations and entities are now subject to these sanctions due to the Revolutionary Guard's designation as a terrorist group. This move underscores the EU's increasing concern over the actions of the Revolutionary Guard, particularly their role in suppressing protests within Iran. EU foreign ministers previously indicated that the Revolutionary Guard had earned its place on the EU's terrorist organization list, articulating a clear stance that the repression of dissent must not go unnoticed.

EU Foreign Minister Kaia Kallas emphasized the need to treat the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, stating, "If you act like a terrorist organization, you need to be treated as one." This classification not only aims to hold the Revolutionary Guard accountable for its actions but also signals a potential shift in diplomatic relations between the EU and Iran, further complicating an already tense situation in the region.