The European Union is about to take one of its toughest steps against Iran in years. According to POLITICO, the Union is close to a decision to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas confirmed this ahead of Thursday's meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.
„I expect that we will agree to put the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on the terrorist list. If someone behaves like a terrorist, he should be judged as a terrorist, too.“ Kallas said, according to POLITICO. She added that this would put the Guards on the same level as al-Qaeda, Hamas or Daesh.
According to European diplomats, the reason for the turn is primarily the scale and brutality of the crackdown on demonstrators in Iran. Agency Reuters reports that security forces have cracked down on protests in more than three dozen cities in recent weeks. Internet blackouts and limited foreign media access make it difficult to confirm exact figures, but Western diplomatic estimates put the death toll at at least 6,000.
The change in attitude of some key Member States is of fundamental importance. France, which previously rejected the inclusion of the guards, has now reconsidered its position. The French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told Reuters that the courage of Iranians facing violence „must not go unanswered“ and that Europe must act.
A similar turnaround was recorded Italywhile Spain a Netherlands have openly signed up for the designation. The Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said the footage from Tehran released in recent days „have crossed a line that the EU can no longer ignore“, as quoted by the agency AP.
The inclusion of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps on the terrorist list would not only freeze assets and impose a travel ban, but also criminalise any support for the organisation on EU territory, according to the European External Action Service. The measure would add to sanctions being prepared against other individuals and institutions involved in repression or in Iran's military cooperation with Russia, Reuters notes.
The United States designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organisation back in 2019. Donald Trump warned this week, according to the AP, that „time is running out“ and hinted at the possibility of a harsh response if violence against demonstrators continues.
If the EU does indeed reach a unanimous consensus, it will be a clear signal that Europe is ready to significantly tighten its current approach to Tehran.
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