EU set to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as terror organisation alongside Al Qaeda, Hamas

The move follows mounting evidence of the IRGC’s role in the violent suppression of protests across Iran, which reportedly led to the deaths of more than 6,300 people.

Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, confirmed the development, stating that the designation reflects the Guard’s actions rather than its formal status.

“If you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as a terrorist,” she told reporters, underlining the EU’s rationale for the decision.

Unanimous approval required among EU member states

The proposal will require unanimous backing from all 27 EU member states before it can be adopted.

If approved, it would represent one of the strongest measures taken by Europe against Tehran in recent years, significantly tightening sanctions and legal restrictions on entities linked to the IRGC.

Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia, said the designation is intended to send a clear signal that internal repression and violent crackdowns will not go unanswered.

According to her, the decision reinforces the principle that systematic abuses carry tangible political and economic consequences.

France signals shift after initial reservations

France had earlier expressed concerns about formally listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, warning it could endanger French nationals detained in Iran and disrupt limited diplomatic channels with Tehran.

However, Paris has now indicated a change in stance.

The office of President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France supports the move, aligning itself with the broader EU consensus.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in Brussels that further sanctions and the terror designation are necessary, arguing that crimes committed during Iran’s crackdown must not go unpunished.

He described the suppression of Iran’s largely peaceful protests as intolerable, stressing that Europe cannot remain silent in the face of such widespread repression.

Iran’s geopolitical role adds to EU pressure

Iran’s growing strategic alignment with Russia has also factored into the EU’s decision-making.

Tehran is accused by Western governments of supplying weapons to Moscow for use in the Ukraine war, allegations Iran has consistently denied.

Nevertheless, European officials view the IRGC as central to Iran’s regional influence and military operations abroad.

Once designated, the terror listing is expected to significantly increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Tehran, further isolating the Islamic Republic from Europe.

Powerful institution at the core of Iran’s system

Established in 1979 by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was created to protect the Islamic Revolution.

Over the decades, it has evolved into the most powerful institution within Iran’s military and political framework, operating independently of the regular armed forces.

The IRGC answers directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader and plays a dominant role in the country’s security, economy, and regional strategy.

Its potential inclusion on the EU’s terrorist list would mark a major escalation in Europe’s approach toward Iran’s ruling establishment.