EU Labels Iran's IRGC a Terrorist Group, Aiding US Strike Case

The European Union has formally agreed to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a landmark decision confirmed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas after a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers on Thursday.

"Any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise," Kallas stated, marking a significant hardening of the EU's stance against Tehran.

This move follows an abrupt policy reversal from France and Spain, which had previously been key opponents of the designation. Their change of position provided the necessary momentum for the bloc to proceed with the politically charged classification.

Figure 1: The IRGC is considered Iran's most powerful military and security institution, reporting directly to the Ayatollah.

Paving the Way for Military Action

The decision is widely seen as providing political and legal support for potential U.S. military strikes against Iran under President Trump. By labeling the IRGC a terrorist entity, the EU effectively streamlines the legal justification for future military interventions.

This action mirrors a strategy previously employed by Washington. Before launching regime change operations in Venezuela, the U.S. designated President Maduro as the head of a "terrorist organization"—the so-called Cartel of the Suns—which led to federal charges against him in New York. The EU's muted response to the subsequent removal of Maduro was widely interpreted as tacit approval.

With this new designation, EU leaders may be signaling their acceptance of similar action being taken against Tehran.

Why the EU is Targeting the IRGC

The push to blacklist the IRGC gained traction after the West accused the organization of directing a violent crackdown on domestic unrest in Iran. Widespread protests, driven by economic grievances, erupted in towns and cities across the country this month.

While Western governments point to the thousands of deaths as evidence of state-sponsored violence, Iranian officials maintain that armed saboteurs infiltrated peaceful demonstrations, causing the mayhem and high death toll.

The IRGC is Iran's most influential military-security force, operating under the direct command of the Ayatollah. Designating the entire organization as a terrorist group provides a broad framework for targeting the highest levels of Iran's command structure.

Aligning with Western Allies

The EU's move brings it in line with several other Western nations. The United States, Canada, and Australia have already blacklisted the IRGC. Within the EU, Germany and the Netherlands have advocated for this step for years, and Italy recently shifted its position following the protests in Iran.