On 6 October 2022, Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the crackdown against women in Iran. The resolution emphasised the fact that sanctions against the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) must not be lifted.

Given the central role that the IRGC plays in suppressing protests, orchestrating international terror directly and via proxies such as Hezbollah, and supplying drones to the Russian army, the EU ought to take further action against the group.

On 17 October 2022, the Foreign Affairs Council discussed the situation in Iran and announced new human rights sanctions. Although a necessary first step, these sanctions do not constitute a proper response to Iran’s human rights violations and the threat it poses to EU security.

Therefore, we ask the following:

• Will the Council expand its sanctions against IRGC leaders, following the example of Canada and other countries?
• Will it take steps to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation?
• What else is it planning to do with regard to the current human rights violations that the IRGC is committing against the Iranian people?

Answer in written