Iran slams EU’s ‘selective outrage’ after IRGC labelled terrorist group

Tehran/Brussels: Iran has vehemently rejected the European Union’s designation of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, branding the move “illegal, political, and contrary to international law” while accusing the bloc of blatant hypocrisy and selective outrage.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Thursday that the bloc’s foreign ministers had taken a “decisive step” in labelling the IRGC a terrorist group over Iran’s deadly crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests that erupted last month amid public fury over soaring inflation and socioeconomic woes. “Repression cannot go unanswered,” Kallas posted on social media. “Any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise.”

The EU also imposed fresh sanctions on 15 individuals, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, and six entities accused of serious human rights violations during the protests, which Iranian authorities say have claimed 3,117 lives, 2,427 civilians and security personnel, while a US-based rights group puts the toll at over 6,373. Tehran blames Israel and the US for fuelling the unrest.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry reserved the right to retaliate under international law, holding the EU and its members accountable for any fallout, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the measures as a “PR stunt” from a declining Europe. He highlighted the bloc’s silence on Israel’s actions in Gaza contrasted with its rush to “defend human rights” in Iran, warning that escalating regional tensions could spike energy prices and harm EU interests. The Iranian armed forces’ General Staff echoed this, calling the IRGC blacklist “illogical and irresponsible,” a hostile act against the nation’s sovereignty.

Established post-1979 Islamic Revolution, the IRGC answers directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and controls Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes. Al Jazeera correspondents noted the EU decision, hailed as a strong signal despite reservations from France, comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions, with President Donald Trump threatening military action over the protests and nuclear issues, including warnings of a “massive” armada unless Tehran negotiates. Iran insists it will not bow to threats, vowing a powerful response, especially after US involvement in last year’s Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities.