Iran expresses strong opposition to the European Union’s decision to designate (IRGC) as a “terrorist” organization

The reaction from Tehran on Thursday’s decision has been a mix of defiance and cautioning of possible repercussions for Europe.

The European Parliament’s approval of a resolution calling on the European Union to recognise Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its subsidiaries as “terrorist” organisations has been strongly condemned by senior Iranian officials and commanders.

Despite the overwhelming support for the resolution, Iranian authorities have voiced their strong opposition, asserting that it is politically motivated and ultimately detrimental to the stability of the region. Furthermore, they have claimed that such a designation would be inappropriate, since the IRGC is an integral part of the Iranian defence system.

The EU has strongly condemned the Iranian government’s response to the protests that have been taking place in the country since September, as well as the executions linked to the protests, and drone sales to Russia; additionally, the EU has recommended sanctions against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Ebrahim Raisi and all IRGC-linked foundations.

Although senior EU politicians have voiced their support for the resolution, it is not expected to be among the new sanctions on dozens of Iranian individuals and entities that the bloc is expected to approve on Monday.

On Thursday, Tehran responded to the European Union’s move to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity with defiance and warnings of consequences. IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami and former IRGC commander and current parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf held a meeting on Saturday to coordinate a potential response.

Additionally, the IRGC, the foreign ministry, and lawmakers are expected to hold a closed-door meeting on Sunday. Salami stated that without the efforts of the IRGC, especially the Quds Force and martyr Soleimani, terrorism in Europe would have been much worse. Ghalibaf and other lawmakers have also threatened European armed forces with a “terrorist” designation. Accordingly, it is clear that Tehran is standing firm in its response and has warned of potential consequences for Europe.

The Iranian foreign ministry has responded to US and EU sanctions with sanctions of its own, many related to the assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani, by terming the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) “the world’s largest counterterrorism institution” and claiming that a potential designation of the force, which is an official entity of the Iranian establishment, would violate the United Nations Charter. Additionally, the ministry argued that such a move would be counter-productive and detrimental to efforts to combat terrorism.

Firing one’s own gun

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian made a strong statement to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Thursday, calling the European Union’s decision to designate the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organisation “like shooting itself in the foot”. Furthermore, Iranian entities and officials have stated that this move demonstrates “desperation” from the Europeans, who have failed to achieve their goals for the Iranian protests.

This is an extension of the Iranian government’s view that the West has been involved in the unrest, a claim which has been denials. Still, the talks to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers have not made any progress, and the European Parliament voted against declaring the talks dead just this week.

Ultimately, it appears that Europe is still hoping that the nuclear deal is the only viable option to contain Iran’s nuclear programme.