Downing Street has expressed support for the European Union’s impending decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. This development comes as the EU’s foreign ministers convened in Brussels to address Iran’s severe crackdown on dissenting voices within the country. However, the UK remains non-committal on whether it will follow suit and impose similar sanctions.
EU Takes a Firm Stance
On Thursday, EU officials are anticipated to officially add the IRGC to their list of terrorist organisations, an action that aligns the group with notorious entities such as al-Qaida and Daesh. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, stated, “If you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as a terrorist.” This statement encapsulates the bloc’s growing resolve to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its violent suppression of protests that have surged since December 2022.
The proposal for these sanctions is expected to pass unanimously among the EU’s 27 member states, with key nations like France, Italy, and Germany signalling their support. The sanctions aim to target individuals and organisations complicit in the ongoing repression of peaceful demonstrators, whose plight has drawn widespread international condemnation.
Pressure Mounts on the UK Government
As the EU prepares to take decisive action, the spotlight turns to Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party. A spokesperson for Downing Street welcomed the EU’s announcement, highlighting its importance in holding Iranian authorities accountable for their brutality. However, when pressed on the UK’s stance regarding the IRGC, the spokesperson maintained a long-standing government policy of not speculating on individual sanctions. They pointed out that the UK has already imposed 220 sanctions on Iranian individuals and expressed an intention to introduce further measures.
Critics within Labour have raised concerns about the government’s hesitance to include the IRGC in its proscribed list. Business Secretary Peter Kyle has been vocal in asserting that the UK has maximised its leverage through existing sanctions and would not be adding the IRGC to its list at this time. This hesitation places Labour in a precarious position, given previous commitments made by the party when it was in opposition.
Growing Tensions with Iran
The situation in Iran remains critical, with reports estimating over 6,159 fatalities attributed to the government’s violent crackdown on dissent. The ongoing unrest has not only sparked domestic outrage but also ignited international tensions, particularly with the United States. Former President Donald Trump has indicated the presence of a “massive armada” heading towards Iran, warning that military action could be imminent. Iranian officials have retaliated with threats of severe consequences should the U.S. engage militarily.
The evolving dynamics between the U.S. and Iran, coupled with the EU’s decisive actions, create a complex geopolitical landscape that the UK must navigate carefully.
Why it Matters
The EU’s decision to label the IRGC as a terrorist organisation represents a significant shift in international policy towards Iran, posing an immediate challenge for the UK government. The UK’s response, or lack thereof, could have far-reaching implications not only for its foreign relations but also for its domestic political landscape. As public sentiment increasingly calls for stronger action against Iran’s oppressive regime, the government faces mounting pressure to align its policies with those of its European allies, lest it appear out of touch with both international and domestic expectations.
