Iran Warns EU After IRGC Terror Listing

EU foreign ministers approved the designation during a meeting in Brussels, marking one of the bloc’s most significant political steps against Iran in recent years. European officials said the decision was driven by Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests and persistent human rights violations.

“Repression Cannot Go Unanswered”

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the designation was a direct response to Iran’s use of force against its own population. In a statement following the meeting, Kallas stressed that systematic repression and mass killings could not be ignored, arguing that actors employing terror tactics should be treated accordingly.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed that stance, sharply criticizing Iran’s handling of domestic unrest. She said the violent suppression of protests reflected the true nature of the regime and justified the EU’s decision to take a tougher line.

IRGC Placed on Terror List

With the move, the IRGC was added to the EU’s terrorist blacklist alongside organizations such as al-Qaeda, Hamas and the ISIS (Deash) terror group. EU officials underlined that the designation carries legal and political consequences, including potential sanctions and restrictions on affiliated individuals and entities.

Tehran’s Strong Rebuttal

In a statement carried by Iran’s state run IRNA news agency, the General Staff of Iran’s armed forces described the EU’s decision as “illogical, irresponsible and malicious.” The statement accused European governments of acting in line with U.S. and Israeli policies rather than pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Iranian officials argued that the IRGC has played a key role in fighting extremist groups, particularly the ISIS (Deash) terror group, and rejected what they called an attempt to distort the organization’s role in regional security. The statement warned that the “hazardous consequences” of the decision would fall directly on European policymakers.

‘A Major Strategic Mistake’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also condemned the designation, saying Europe was escalating tensions at a time when multiple actors were seeking to prevent a wider Middle East war. In a social media post, Araghchi argued that European governments were inflaming the crisis instead of contributing to de-escalation efforts.

He described the IRGC designation as a “major strategic mistake” taken under pressure from the United States, warning that Europe would bear the cost of any regional conflict. Araghchi said potential consequences could include sharp increases in energy prices and broader economic instability.