EU Holds Off on IRGC Terror Designation

The European Union (EU) announced on January 23 that they are holding off designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror organization for the time being.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Joseph Borrell said that a court in one of the EU countries needs to conclude that the IRGC has committed acts of terror before the 27-country bloc makes that designation. The Times of Israel also reported that some EU officials are concerned that making the designation would officially kill any chance at reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has claimed that Borrell assured him that the EU would not be designating the IRGC as a terror organization.

Iran's Foreign Minister @Amirabdolahian claims EU Foreign Policy Chief @JosepBorrellF and EU's rotating president have given him assurance that they are not seeking to designate IRGC as a terrorist group upon the European Parliament's resolution.https://t.co/OvEtOWEVg1 pic.twitter.com/BaCoFvDuT2

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 22, 2023

The EU also announced on January 23 that they would be imposing new sanctions on Iran following their crackdown on anti-government protests on the country; the United States and Britain joined in on the sanctions as well. Among those sanctioned included Iranian Deputy for Intelligence Naser Rashedi and IRGC General Mohammad Nazar Azimi.

“The Iranian regime’s abuses are prompting nations across the globe to take note and to take action,” U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley tweeted. “Our sanctions today have been coordinated with allies and partners, including the UK and EU… all of whom are united in condemning the regime’s human rights violations, state-sponsored violence against women, and internet censorship.”

The Iranian regime’s abuses are prompting nations across the globe to take note and to take action. Our sanctions today have been coordinated with allies and partners, including the UK and EU… 11/12

— Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley (@USEnvoyIran) January 23, 2023

…all of whom are united in condemning the regime’s human rights violations, state-sponsored violence against women, and internet censorship. 12/12

— Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley (@USEnvoyIran) January 23, 2023

Foundations for Defense of Democracies (FDD) CEO Mark Dubowitz tweeted in response to Malley, “These are important steps. But why is @Rob_Malley leading a campaign to persuade European governments not to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization? He also opposed the U.S. designation — and proposed to the regime the idea of lifting the designation.”

These are important steps. But why is @Rob_Malley leading a campaign to persuade European governments not to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization? He also opposed the U.S. designation — and proposed to the regime the idea of lifting the designation.#IRGCterrorists https://t.co/AVNDsmTfKK

— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) January 23, 2023

Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad tweeted, “Sanctioning individuals is important, but not enough @JosepBorrellF. You must hear us Iranian people telling you the #IRGC is the source of terrorism for innocent people in Iran, in the region and beyond. It is not a matter of dislike, it is a matter of life.”

Sanctioning individuals is important, but not enough @JosepBorrellF.
You must hear us Iranian people telling you the #IRGC is the source of terrorism for innocent people in Iran, in the region and beyond.
It is not a matter of dislike, it is a matter of life.#IRGCTerrorists pic.twitter.com/GIjusppUEH

— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) January 23, 2023