The EU designates Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group

BrusselsThe European Union continues to tighten sanctions on Iran. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced that member states are increasing pressure on the ayatollahs' regime over the repression against the protestersAnd they are expanding the blacklist of Iranian entities and leaders, as well as designating the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group. "The repression cannot go unanswered. [...] Any regime that kills thousands of citizens is headed for its demise," tweeted the EU leader.

Despite its initial reluctance, Italy called earlier this week for the Revolutionary Guard to be designated a terrorist group due to the Iranian regime's brutal repression of protesters. Throughout this week, many member states have joined the request, including France and Spain.

However, until the last minute, some European countries, such as Belgium, remained hesitant, fearing it could have negative consequences for the Iranian population itself. They argued that, given the sanctions already in place against Iranian leaders, the inclusion would be merely symbolic. One possible consequence is that EU relations with Iran will become even more complicated, and member states will have a reduced diplomatic presence on Iranian soil.

Amid fears about Tehran's reaction, the EU's foreign policy chief has asserted that "all risks have already been calculated" and that the EU remains committed to punishing the Iranian regime, and especially its repressive apparatus, more severely. "There is nothing to weigh up. The EU has the responsibility, even the obligation, to do everything possible to stop this repression," insisted Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.

It should be remembered that countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia have already designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, and that some European partners, such as Germany and the Netherlands, have long advocated for the EU to take the same step.

The expansion of the blacklist

The vast majority of Revolutionary Guard leaders are already included on the EU's so-called blacklist. This means that any economic assets they hold in Europe are frozen, they are banned from traveling to member states, and they cannot contribute funds. In practice, these sanctions are very similar to those involved in designating the Iranian regime's repressive arm as a terrorist group. Beyond the Revolutionary Guard, European foreign ministers meeting this Thursday in Brussels also added 21 individuals and entities of the Iranian regime to the EU blacklist for human rights violations, and another ten individuals for having assisted the Vladimir Putin regime from Iran. In this case, according to diplomatic sources, there seems to be unanimity and, therefore, less doubt that it will ultimately be approved by the EU Foreign Affairs Council.