The European Union has agreed to add Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to the EU terrorism blacklist, a move EU officials described as a political signal after a violent crackdown on protests in Iran. EU foreign affairs ministers took the decision during a meeting in Brussels, and Euronews reported that formal adoption is expected in the coming days.
The listing is set to bring measures that include an asset freeze, a ban on providing funds, and travel restrictions targeting IRGC members, according to Euronews. The decision was unanimous, according to the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as quoted by Euronews and India’s public broadcaster News On AIR.
What the EU decision changes
Euronews said the designation will place the IRGC on the EU’s terrorism list and apply legal and financial restrictions, including freezing assets, banning funds, and imposing travel bans on standing members. Euronews also said many of those affected are already under similar limits through the EU’s existing sanctions regime.
Alongside the terror listing, the EU also moved on additional sanctions, but accounts differ on the numbers and scope. Euronews reported that ministers agreed to impose sanctions on 21 individuals and entities accused of human rights violations in Iran, plus 10 additional figures linked to Iran’s support for Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Decode39, however, reported that in parallel the EU imposed new sanctions on six entities and 15 individuals in Iran, and it named three of those it said were included: Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, and presiding judge Iman Afshari. News On AIR reported that the bloc sanctioned 15 Iranian officials, including top commanders of the Revolutionary Guard, over the violent crackdown on protesters.
Why EU officials say they acted
Euronews tied the move to what it described as Iran’s violent repression of protests and said EU leaders framed the step as a response to the crackdown. Kaja Kallas was quoted by Euronews saying, “Repression cannot go unanswered,” and she also said, “Any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise.”
News On AIR similarly quoted Kallas saying that “any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise,” and reported that she said the move would put the IRGC “on the same footing” as groups including al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Daesh. Decode39 also reported Kallas used the “repression cannot go unanswered” line when announcing what it called a decisive step, and said she argued diplomatic channels would formally remain open.
Euronews reported that the IRGC “stands accused” of orchestrating violent repression of protests, supplying weapons to Russia, launching ballistic missiles at Israel, and maintaining close ties with armed allies such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and Yemen’s Houthis. The same report said Germany and the Netherlands had repeatedly urged the EU to follow the US approach, and it noted that the United States, Canada, and Australia have already designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.
How unanimity was reached
Euronews reported that France and Spain had raised concerns about the designation but said both “voiced a change of heart” the day before the ministers met, and it said Belgium also moved toward approval. It quoted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot saying, “We cannot have any impunity for the crimes that have been committed,” and said he urged Tehran to release political prisoners, end executions, and restore internet access.
Decode39 also described behind-the-scenes debate, saying Italy promoted the move and that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani publicly announced three days earlier he would bring the proposal to the Council. Decode39 said Italy’s approach was backed by Germany, and that France and, to a lesser extent, Spain initially voiced reservations over whether the designation could end remaining diplomatic engagement with Tehran.
Euronews reported that Italy had originally been reluctant but shifted toward approval earlier in the week after what it described as new data highlighting the scale of repression. Decode39 described France’s shift as a turning point, saying Paris ultimately changed position after the “scale and brutality” of the repression, and it quoted Barrot calling the crackdown the most violent in Iran’s modern history.
Conflicting death toll estimates cited by outlets
Euronews cited the Human Rights Activists News Agency as saying more than 6,100 people had been killed since unrest began in late December, including 92 children, while adding that “other reports” say the death toll could be higher. Euronews also reported that Time magazine cited two senior Iranian health ministry officials as saying at least 30,000 people had been killed in street clashes that began in late December and were linked to an economic crisis before turning into broader contestation of the regime.
News On AIR reported that “activists say” at least 6,373 people have been killed in the crackdown. These figures differ across outlets, and neither Euronews nor News On AIR presented the numbers as a settled, independently confirmed final toll.
Diplomatic risks and wider pressure
Euronews reported that Kallas said the risks to diplomacy had been “calculated,” and it quoted her saying interactions with Iran’s foreign minister are not covered by the listing. Euronews also quoted Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel saying that if Tehran cut off diplomatic channels in retaliation, that would be in “their worst interest.”
News On AIR said Iran had no immediate comment, but reported Iran had criticised Europe in recent days as the EU considered the move. Euronews also reported that the EU decisions came as US President Donald Trump was “ramps up the pressure” on Iran, and it quoted Trump saying he hoped Iran would “come to the table” and negotiate a deal with “no nuclear weapons.”
