The EU has designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, instituting sanctions that freeze its assets and restrict its financial resources within EU member states.
The European Union has formally designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, leading to the institution of sanctions under its anti-terrorism regime. These sanctions include the freezing of the group's assets and other financial resources in EU member states, as well as prohibitions on EU businesses from providing financial resources and support to the IRGC. This decision follows a political agreement reached by EU foreign ministers in January, a move that is largely seen as symbolic, considering that the EU had already imposed sanctions on the IRGC for human rights violations.
The designation comes in the wake of significant unrest in Iran, with recent protests leading to the loss of thousands of lives amid government crackdowns. While the exact number of casualties is difficult to ascertain, several EU ministers have cited figures suggesting that as many as 30,000 people may have lost their lives during these events. The issue of human rights violations has become a cornerstone in discussions about the IRGC, prompting the EU to take a firmer stance.
France's agreement was crucial in moving forward with this designation, which reflects a growing concern among European nations regarding Iran's role in regional instability and human rights abuses. The German foreign minister, Johan Wadephuls, has been a vocal advocate for this approach, emphasizing the need for a unified response from EU nations to the actions of the IRGC and the Iranian government. This decision signals a potential shift in the EU's foreign policy towards Iran, highlighting the importance of human rights in international relations.
