'Germany, EU considering listing Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorist group'

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) – Germany and the EU are considering designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, according to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

“As I made clear last week, we will launch a further sanctions package. We are also examining how we can list the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization,” Baerbock told German public broadcaster ARD.

Andrea Sasse, deputy spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry, told journalists in Berlin that Germany is in talks with EU partners on the issue.

She said Germany remains “open to all options” for further sanctions on Iran.

Steffen Hebestreit, the chancellor’s spokesperson, separately said Germany was “very much concerned” over the ongoing security crackdown in Iran.

Iran has been rocked by protests since mid-September after the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the country’s morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the disproportionate use of force by the Iranian security forces against female and male demonstrators,” Hebestreit said.