Iran summons Italian ambassador to protest Rome’s efforts to designate the “Revolutionary Guard” as a terrorist organization.

Tehran, Iran – The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Italian ambassador to Iran following Rome’s announcement of its intention to request that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) be designated a terrorist organization by the European Union, according to Reuters. The Iranian Foreign Ministry asserted that this potential designation could have “grave consequences” and called on Italy to “correct its ill-considered approach toward Tehran.”

This move comes after statements by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who confirmed that his country would submit a request this week to its EU partners to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. This marks a clear shift in Italy’s traditional stance. The Italian Foreign Minister indicated that the crackdown on recent popular protests in Iran, which resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, necessitates a “clear response.”

Tajani explained that Italy would discuss the matter with its partners during the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday. He added that Italy would also propose imposing individual sanctions on Iranian officials involved in the crackdown.

According to experts, designating the IRGC as a “terrorist group” would allow the European Union to take legal, financial, and diplomatic measures. These measures aim to curtail the Revolutionary Guard’s ability to operate within the continent. They include freezing assets, restricting travel, and limiting financial cooperation with European institutions.

These developments come amid escalating tensions between Iran and European countries due to Tehran’s record of domestic repression. Furthermore, there are international concerns about the Revolutionary Guard’s activities outside Iran’s borders. Italy’s move reflects a European effort to unify its stance on what it considers human rights violations in Iran. It is also expected that other European countries will follow Rome’s lead in the coming weeks.