EU to classify Iran's Revolutionary Guard as 'terrorist' organization | DW News

Key Concepts

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): Iran’s elite military unit, reporting directly to the Supreme Leader, responsible for protecting the Islamic Revolution and wielding significant economic and political power.
• Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Designation: Classification by the EU, equating the IRGC with groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, triggering specific sanctions and restrictions.
• Axis of Resistance: Network of Iran-backed proxy forces in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthi rebels.
• Sanctions: Economic penalties imposed by the EU, including asset freezes and travel bans, aimed at limiting the IRGC’s financial capabilities.
• Proxy Forces: Groups supported and utilized by the IRGC to extend its influence and pursue its objectives in the region.

EU Classification of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a Terror Group

The European Union is preparing to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a decision driven by the IRGC’s role in the suppression of anti-government protests resulting in thousands of deaths. This classification places the IRGC on the same footing as groups like Al-Qaeda and Hamas, signifying a strong condemnation of its actions. As stated by EU’s top diplomat, Kaakalis, “If you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as terrorists.”

Measures and Consequences of the Designation

The EU’s actions involve two tracks of sanctions: targeting individuals and entities involved in the crackdown on protesters, and the formal designation of the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation carries significant consequences, mirroring those applied to individuals already sanctioned. Specifically, these include:

• Asset Freezes: Any bank accounts held by the IRGC within the EU will be frozen.
• Business Restrictions: Individuals and entities are prohibited from conducting business with the IRGC.
• Travel Bans: IRGC members will face restrictions on travel into the EU.
• Increased Scrutiny: Enhanced monitoring of the IRGC’s financial activities and funding sources.

DW Brussels correspondent Terry Schultz emphasized that this designation represents “one of the strongest tools in their toolbox,” despite acknowledging the uncertainty regarding the EU’s overall influence on the Iranian regime. The EU also hopes this will disrupt the IRGC’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, specifically its provision of missiles and military support.

The IRGC: Structure, Power, and Regional Influence

The IRGC is a powerful paramilitary force estimated to comprise between 150,000 and 200,000 active personnel, possessing its own independent army, navy, and air force. Led by Muhammad Pakpura, the IRGC reports directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, bypassing the government and president. This direct line of authority ensures the IRGC’s loyalty and insulation from political pressures.

The IRGC’s economic power is substantial, controlling vast concerns in defense, oil and gas, construction, and telecommunications, collectively worth billions of dollars. This economic control allows the IRGC to remain largely unaffected by the sanctions impacting ordinary Iranians, contributing to growing resentment towards the regime.

Furthermore, the IRGC manages Iran’s network of proxy forces in the Middle East, known as the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Houthi rebels in Yemen. This network allows Iran to project its influence and pursue its strategic objectives throughout the region.

Past Targeting and Resilience of the IRGC

The IRGC has been a prime target for international intervention in recent years. In 2020, a US airstrike eliminated Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Al-Quds Force, an elite unit within the IRGC. Last summer, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of numerous senior IRGC leaders. Despite these losses and damage to its proxy forces (Hamas and Hezbollah), the IRGC has maintained its position due to its close relationship with the Supreme Leader, making it “indispensable to the regime” and a “priority target for any international intervention.”

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The video establishes a clear connection between the IRGC’s internal repression of protests and its external activities, including support for Russia and its network of proxy forces. The EU’s decision to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization is presented as a response to escalating brutality and a culmination of years of pressure. The designation is not viewed as a guaranteed solution, but as a significant step utilizing the EU’s strongest available tools. The video highlights the IRGC’s unique position within the Iranian political and economic structure, explaining its resilience despite facing significant challenges.

Ultimately, the main takeaway is that the EU is escalating its pressure on Iran through a significant designation, aiming to disrupt the IRGC’s operations and potentially influence its behavior both domestically and internationally. The IRGC’s entrenched power and close ties to the Supreme Leader, however, suggest that achieving substantial change will be a complex and challenging undertaking.