The European Union has officially designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist organisation” following its deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, signaling strong condemnation of Tehran’s human rights violations.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen described the move as long overdue, stating that a regime that violently suppresses its own people can justly be labelled “terrorist” under international standards.
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Alongside the designation, the EU imposed visa bans and asset freezes on 21 Iranian state entities and senior officials, including the interior minister, prosecutor general, and regional IRGC commanders involved in the repression.
Rights groups report that thousands of protesters were killed, while Iranian authorities claim most casualties were security forces or bystanders, although evidence indicates the IRGC directly fired on civilians during demonstrations.
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The IRGC, created after the 1979 revolution to protect Iran’s clerical leadership, controls major sectors of the Iranian economy, and the EU’s move aligns with prior classifications by the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Although largely symbolic, EU officials emphasized that the decision demands accountability, urges Tehran to release prisoners, stop executions, lift internet restrictions, and respect the Iranian people’s right to freely determine their future.