Spain supports listing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as EU terrorist group

2026-01-29 - 13:20

Spain has thrown its diplomatic weight behind a major escalation of European pressure on Iran, publicly endorsing the classification of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The announcement, made by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Thursday, frames the move as a necessary response to the Iranian government's violent suppression of domestic protests. Unequivocal Support for Sanctions and Terrorist Designation Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Minister Albares left no ambiguity about Madrid's stance. "Spain supports all the sanctions on Iran at this moment," he stated, explicitly adding that this support includes "those that refer to the inclusion on the list of terrorist groups of the Revolutionary Guard." He characterized Spain's position as long-standing and argued that the situation in Iran required no further assessment, implying that the evidence of state repression is overwhelming and demands an immediate, robust response from the European bloc. Condemnation of Iran’s "Blind Repression" and a Call to Action Albares grounded his country's support for the terrorist designation in a harsh condemnation of Tehran's internal policies. He cited "a blind, indiscriminate repression, arbitrary detentions, [and] a situation for Iranian women that worries us terribly" as the drivers of Spain's position. He framed a forceful EU response not merely as an option but as a moral and political duty. "It is the EU's responsibility and, if you allow me, obligation to act," Albares asserted. He praised the "great courage" of Iranian protesters and reiterated calls for Tehran to respect freedom of expression and assembly, demanding an end to arbitrary arrests. Warnings and the Growing EU Consensus The Spanish foreign minister issued a specific warning regarding the potential for further state violence, declaring that "any execution would be an authentic red line for Spain and for Europe." Spain's endorsement significantly bolsters the momentum within the EU to adopt the highly symbolic and politically charged step of labeling the IRGC as a terrorist entity. This move follows similar declarations of support from France and Italy in recent days, indicating a hardening European consensus. The coordinated push represents a strategic effort to use all available diplomatic and economic instruments to pressure the Iranian government over its human rights record and support for proxy forces across the Middle East.