European Parliament Designates Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as Terrorist Organization by Majority Vote
The European Parliament, by majority vote, while condemning the massacre of protesters, fully designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in a statement from the parliament.
The European Parliament on Thursday, January 22, 2026, corresponding to February 2, 1404 in the Iranian calendar, passed a resolution with 562 votes in favor, 9 votes against, and 57 abstentions, in which “the massacre of thousands of protesters” by the forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regime is condemned. The representatives of this legislative body of the European Union have described such conduct as a sign of a shift in the approach to suppressing opponents from deterrence to “strategic annihilation,” and have called for an immediate halt to violence, executions, and suppression of opponents.
Parliament representatives have also called in a resolution for the immediate and unconditional release of all protesters who have been detained during recent protests, including human rights defenders and journalists, and have emphasized that the Iranian regime must stop any suppression and massacres.
In the text of the resolution, the European Parliament has asked the Council of the European Union to formally designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the Basij forces and the Quds Force, as terrorist organizations without delay. This measure is set to be accompanied by the implementation of “broader restrictive measures” such as asset freezing and visa ban provisions.
Representatives have also welcomed recent United States sanctions against officials and bodies responsible for suppression in Iran and have emphasized the necessity of “swift action” by the European Union to impose broader sanctions.
The European Parliament has also condemned the Iranian government’s measures for censorship and internet shutdowns during protests and requested that the European Union and member states increase technical and financial support for circumvention tools and protection against cyber and information manipulation.
The European Parliament’s resolution is not limited to condemnation and political demands. Representatives, pointing to the pattern of systematic suppression against women, human rights activists, and political opponents, have also emphasized the necessity of cooperation with United Nations investigative missions to examine potential crimes.
The European Parliament’s measures are part of ongoing global pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran to account for widespread human rights violations during domestic protests. Viewpoints raised in the European Union, including in statements by officials of the union’s foreign policy, have been consistent with the condemnation of violence perpetrated against protesters and support for fundamental freedoms.
However, it should be clarified that the final decision to place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the list of terrorist organizations formally rests with the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament has merely requested in its resolution that they take this step as soon as possible.
