The European Union Imposes New Sanctions on Iran and Considers Designating the Revolutionary Guard as a Terrorist Organization

On Thursday, the foreign ministers of EU countries approved a new package of sanctions against Iran targeting individuals and entities accused of involvement in suppressing internal protests, as well as alleged ties to Tehran's military support for Russia.
The decision came during a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, as part of the ongoing European pressure policy on the Iranian leadership regarding human rights issues and regional tensions.

Move to Classify the Revolutionary Guard

According to Reuters, EU foreign ministers are expected to soon reach a political agreement paving the way for the inclusion of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on the list of European terrorist organizations.
This move — if officially approved — would represent an important symbolic and political shift in the EU's approach towards Iran, placing the Revolutionary Guard in the same classification as extremist organizations listed in Europe.

Background of the Sanctions

Since the outbreak of widespread protests in Iran in late 2022, the EU has imposed several packages of sanctions targeting security and judicial officials and entities linked to the Revolutionary Guard, in light of accusations of serious human rights violations.
Brussels emphasizes that these measures are part of a policy to hold accountable those responsible for suppressing protesters while maintaining open diplomatic channels on regional and nuclear issues.

Potential Political Implications

Observers believe that the inclusion of the Revolutionary Guard on the European terrorism list, if adopted, would lead to a political escalation between the two sides and could impact bilateral relations and the Iranian nuclear file, in addition to regional security balances.
This potential decision represents a shift from a phase of diplomatic pressure and traditional sanctions to a level of more intense political confrontation with one of the most prominent institutions of the Iranian regime.