Pressure is mounting within the European Union to formally designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a move spearheaded by prominent EU parliamentarians and signaling a potential shift in the bloc’s Iran policy. The call follows the brutal suppression of recent nationwide protests in Iran, which have drawn international condemnation and intensified scrutiny of the IRGC’s role in maintaining the current regime.
David McAllister, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, stated in an interview with the German Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), that the IRGC serves as “the central instrument of power” for the Iranian government, citing its responsibility for “severe human rights violations, terrorism and regional destabilization”. He emphasized that such a listing is “long overdue” and a necessary step towards a credible and effective European response to Tehran’s actions. McAllister argued that the violent crackdown on protestors demonstrates the inextricable link between internal repression and external destabilization, urging the EU to fundamentally reassess its approach to Iran.
Terry Reintke, co-chair of the Green Group in the European Parliament, echoed these sentiments, asserting that designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization would send a clear message of solidarity with Iranian protestors. She condemned the use of lethal force against demonstrators, including children, insisting that regimes engaging in such systematic violence should be labelled and treated as terrorist entities. Reintke stressed the need for the EU to unequivocally support those in Iran fighting for freedom and democracy and to halt the violent repression of the Iranian people by the theocratic leadership.
The prospect of an EU terrorist designation for the IRGC is complex, however. It would trigger significant legal and political ramifications, potentially impacting relations with Iran and raising concerns about reciprocal action. While support for the measure is growing, disagreements persist among member states regarding the practical implications and potential consequences, making its implementation far from guaranteed. Critics argue the move could further escalate tensions and hinder diplomatic efforts, while proponents insist it’s a necessary moral and political stance against a regime increasingly isolated on the world stage. The debate underscores a deeper questioning of the EU’s previously cautious approach to Iran and highlights the widening divide between those advocating for a harder line and those prioritizing engagement.
