EU Labels Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a Terrorist Organization

EU lists Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation and sanctions 15 individuals and six entities.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

1.

The European Union designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation and sanctioned 15 individuals and six entities, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a Jan. 29 statement on X.

2.

The move responds to a deadly crackdown on antigovernment protests, with Iranian authorities reporting 3,117 deaths and the Human Rights Activists News Agency reporting 6,373 deaths, figures that remain disputed and not independently verified.

3.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the listing as "selective outrage" in a Jan. 29 social media post, and the General Staff called the move "illogical and irresponsible," officials confirmed.

4.

The EU said asset freezes and criminal penalties will apply, adding the new listings bring EU totals to 247 individuals and 50 entities sanctioned for human rights abuses, records show.

5.

France dropped opposition to enable the designation and Britain is weighing proscription, while Tehran warned it is "ready to immediately and powerfully" respond and tensions risk regional escalation, diplomats said.

Written using shared reports from
3 sources
.
Report issue

Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

Analysis unavailable for this viewpoint.

Sources (3)

Compare how different news outlets are covering this story.

FAQ

Dig deeper on this story with frequently asked questions.

The designation responds to Iran's deadly crackdown on anti-government protests, with reported deaths ranging from 3,117 by authorities to 6,373 verified by HRANA.

It imposes asset freezes, visa bans, and allows EU member states to detain IRGC members entering the EU, adding to existing sanctions.

France was the last EU country opposing it but shifted position on January 28, enabling agreement; Germany and Netherlands had long urged it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called it 'selective outrage,' and the General Staff deemed it 'illogical and irresponsible'; Tehran warned of a powerful response.

The United States, Canada, and Australia have already listed the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

History

See how this story has evolved over time.

This story does not have any previous versions.