Warning Over Listing Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Terrorist Organizations

An unnamed American official has warned that if the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is added to the list of terrorist organizations, any dialogue with Iran will be cut off. Iran’s Foreign Minister also stated that such actions would not benefit the United States.

On Saturday (February 25 / Esfand 7), Reuters reported that the likelihood of Trump issuing an order to place Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the list of terrorist groups has decreased. This is due to repeated warnings from American and European security and defense officials regarding the negative consequences of such action.

According to Reuters, citing an unnamed American official who insisted on anonymity: “If you do this, you will eliminate any possibility of dialogue with Iran on any subject.”

In this regard, references were made to the fight against the “Islamic State” (ISIS) and the implementation of the nuclear agreement (JCPOA).

Reuters’ source said that Trump’s draft executive order is still under review and it is unclear whether it will ultimately be issued. This is attributed to warnings from American security officials.

Experts believe that listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization is part of the U.S. President’s effort to adopt a harder stance against the Islamic Republic.

The American government has repeatedly imposed sanctions on individuals and companies affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards and has added Iran, along with Syria and Sudan, to its list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

In the current month, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the addition of 12 companies and 13 individuals to the American sanctions list against Iran following Iran’s missile tests.

Against American Interests

The Islamic Republic has consistently denied any involvement in terrorist activities. On Saturday, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on the sidelines of a “ceremony honoring the families of martyrs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” stated: “The whole world acknowledges that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has provided the most support from neighboring countries against Takfiri terrorist groups and ISIS.”

He further stated: “These American moves have never been beneficial for Americans.”

Source: DW