EU Parliament President Demands Tougher Iran Sanctions and IRGC Terrorist Label

A bold call for action against Iran’s crackdown on dissent tests Europe’s resolve. Will the EU finally unite to hold Tehran accountable?

, and Administrator

2026 January 14 . 5:11 AM

1 min read

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EU Parliament President Demands Tougher Iran Sanctions and IRGC Terrorist Label

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has pushed for stronger EU action against Iran. She wants tougher sanctions and a coordinated response to ongoing human rights abuses in the country.

Her calls come as protests in Iran continue, putting pressure on EU institutions to take further steps.

Metsola has urged the European Union to impose stricter export controls on technologies that could be used to crack down on protesters. She also proposed expanding sanctions to cover more Iranian officials linked to human rights violations.

One of her key demands is for the EU to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. This move would align with growing criticism of Iran’s actions during recent protests. However, the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has not yet made a decision on the classification. Metsola stressed the need for a unified approach across EU institutions. She argued that a coordinated response would strengthen the bloc’s position against Iran’s government.

The European Parliament’s stance adds pressure on the European Commission to act. If adopted, the proposed measures would tighten restrictions on Iran’s security forces and officials. The final decision on designating the IRGC as a terrorist group remains pending.