European Union foreign ministers have agreed to include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the bloc’s list of terrorist organisations, marking a symbolic shift in Europe’s approach to Iran’s leadership.
Set up after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the Shia clerical ruling system, the IRGC has great sway in the country, controlling swathes of the economy and armed forces.
The guards were also put in charge of Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi criticised the EU ministers’ decision.
Europe is “making another major strategic mistake”, the Iranian minister wrote on X, adding that “the EU’s current posture is deeply damaging to its own interests”.
The EU’s move is expected to have little practical impact, as the IRGC and senior commanders are already under EU sanctions.
Iranian officials have also ratcheted up warnings that Tehran would respond forcefully to any US military action, while not ruling out diplomatic solutions.
Turkiye said yesterday that it would offer to mediate between Washington and Tehran during an upcoming visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, after Ankara’s top diplomat urged Washington to start nuclear talks with Tehran.