EU Labels Iran's Revolutionary Guard a Terrorist Organisation

The European Union on Thursday agreed to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, taking one of its strongest political and legal steps yet against Tehran over human rights abuses and security concerns.

The decision was confirmed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas after a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Brussels. The move follows months of internal debate among EU member states on how far the EU should go in responding to Iran’s actions at home and abroad.

The IRGC, founded after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, is a powerful military and economic force that operates separately from Iran’s regular armed forces. It plays a central role in domestic security, controls large parts of the economy, and oversees Iran’s regional influence through allied militias.

• EU designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group
• IRGC listing allows wider sanctions and legal action in Europe
• Iran condemns EU move as tensions escalate

EU officials said the designation reflects the Guard’s involvement in the violent suppression of protests in Iran, as well as its role in supporting armed groups in the Middle East. The step allows the EU to expand sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans and restrictions on individuals and entities linked to the IRGC, and makes providing support to the group illegal within the bloc.

The decision also builds on earlier measures imposed by the EU on Iranian officials and organisations accused of involvement in censorship and weapons development. Several governments had previously expressed legal concerns about listing a state-linked military body, but those objections were overcome amid growing political pressure.

Iran’s government strongly criticised the move, calling it unjustified and warning it would further damage EU-Iran relations. Iranian officials said the designation would prompt a response and accused the EU of acting under external pressure.

Also Read: The Moth Appoints Gina Duncan as CEO to Lead Next Growth Phase

EU leaders said diplomatic channels with Tehran would remain open, but stressed that the bloc would continue to use legal and economic tools to respond to actions it views as violations of international norms.