Pressure Mounts on EU to Designate Iran's Revolutionary Guards as Terrorist Organization

The ongoing protests in Iran, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, have led to a violent crackdown by the Iranian regime, resulting in a rising death toll that could reach thousands. Reports indicate that the Iranian government is deliberately cutting communications to obscure the scale of the violence. In response to these events, there is renewed pressure within the European Union (EU) to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a move that would align the IRGC with groups like Daesh and al-Qaeda.

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Countries such as Germany and the Baltic states are advocating for the IRGC's designation, following a meeting of the EU's Political and Security Committee where the issue was discussed but no formal proposals were made. Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel has publicly urged the EU to take action, while European Parliament President Roberta Metsola expressed strong support for the designation, stating, “We are saying they are a terrorist organization, which they are, and we express solidarity with the protesters.”

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The IRGC, founded in 1979, is Iran's elite military force responsible for various military and intelligence operations. It has been accused of leading the violent suppression of protests and has ties to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. The European Parliament has previously condemned the IRGC's actions and called for its inclusion on the EU's terrorist list.

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Under EU regulations, a group can only be added to the terrorist list if a competent authority in a member state or a third country has already made a decision. This process requires unanimity among member states, which poses a significant challenge. Some countries, particularly France and Italy, have been hesitant to sever ties with Iran, citing concerns over their nationals detained in the country. However, a recent ruling by Germany’s Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, which linked an Iranian state agency to a 2022 attack, has raised hopes that the EU may have sufficient legal grounds to proceed with the designation.

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Despite the growing calls for action, there are concerns among some EU officials that adding a terrorist designation could escalate tensions without significantly altering the bloc's leverage over Iran. Critics argue that many IRGC members are already subject to extensive EU sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program, and further actions may not yield the desired outcomes.

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• “I fear we will be facing thousands of deaths when a fuller picture of the situation is obtained,” — Hannah Neumann, MEP

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• “This Parliament has been calling for the IRGC to be listed as a terrorist organisation for more than three years, and I honestly do not understand why some member states still appear to be blocking this move.” — Hannah Neumann, MEP

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• “They have shot people in the face.” — Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

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The EU is expected to continue discussions on the IRGC's designation, with potential future meetings aimed at addressing the legal and political complexities involved. The situation remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring developments in Iran and the EU's response.

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