The European Union announced today (Thursday) that it is designating the Revolutionary Guards in Iran as a terrorist organization.
This is a dramatic move that places the organization in a similar category to ISIS and al-Qaeda.
The historic step was taken following the mass killing of civilians during the wave of protests in Iran.
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EU Foreign Minister Kaia Kallas wrote in an official statement: "Repression cannot go unanswered. EU foreign ministers have just taken the decisive step of declaring Iran's Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organization. Any regime that kills thousands of its citizens is hastening its end.".
At a press conference on the subject, Kallas said: "The EU already has sanctions on Iran. Today, the foreign ministers agreed to recognize the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. This will put them in the same position as ISIS, Hamas, and Hezbollah. The ministers also imposed sanctions on those responsible for suppressing the protesters, including the interior minister. The ministers also imposed sanctions on those in Iran responsible for supporting Russia's war.".
The Europeans have joined the US, Canada and Australia, which already define the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded: "This is an important and historic decision. For years, Israel has worked, and in recent weeks even more vigorously, to achieve this result. The number one factor in spreading terror and undermining regional stability is now being called by name.".
"Declaring the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organization will thwart and criminalize all of its activities in Europe. It will economically harm the organization that controls a huge percentage of the Iranian regime's economy, and it sends an important message to the Iranian people who are fighting for their freedom. Above all, the legitimacy of this murderous and repressive regime has suffered a tremendous blow today.".
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded to the sanctions: "A number of countries are trying to prevent the outbreak of a full-scale war in the region. None of them are European. Instead, Europe is fanning the flames. After implementing the 'snapback' sanctions at the behest of the United States, it is now making another significant strategic mistake by defining the national army as a 'terrorist organization.'".
Araqchi said that "Europe did not respond to the genocide in Gaza," while rushing to defend human rights in Iran. He said that Europe would suffer damage from a war in the region, including a rise in energy prices.
The Revolutionary Guards commented on the decision: "The irrational, irresponsible and hateful action of the European Union - undoubtedly taken in compliance with the hegemonic and inhumane policies of the United States and the Zionist regime. This step reflects the depth of the hostility and hatred of the leaders of the European Union towards the honorable nation of Iran, the armed forces, the security and independence of the powerful state of the Islamic Republic of Iran.".
""This decision was made under pressure from the delusional and irrational US president and the terrorist and child-killing Zionist regime. This decision is a clear violation of international laws and regulations, the UN Charter, and the unshakable principles of respecting the national sovereignty of states.".
