EU Designates Iran's IRGC As Terrorist Organization

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Jan. 29 that the EU had designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation and froze assets of 15 individuals and six entities.

The decision responds to a crackdown on antigovernment protests that Iranian authorities said left 3,117 dead, including 2,427 civilians and members of security forces, while the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported 6,373 deaths and some estimates put casualties above 30,000, figures that remain disputed.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that the decision amounted to 'selective outrage' and a 'PR stunt,' and the General Staff of the Iranian armed forces called the listing 'illogical and irresponsible,' Tehran officials confirmed.

The EU said the latest measures bring to 247 the number of individuals and 50 the number of entities it has sanctioned over human rights violations, and the bloc said the listing criminalises financial or material support, according to an EU statement.

Hannah Neumann, chair of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Iran, said the listing 'is not merely symbolic' because it carries asset freezes and criminal penalties, and officials warned the move could heighten diplomatic tensions with Tehran.