The IRGC Terrorist Designation Campaign

Summary

• Initiated: Autumn 2022 (Swedish parliamentary motion).
• Parliamentary phase: Sweden + European Parliament processes (Jan–May 2023 milestones).
• Government phase: Sustained diplomatic advocacy and coordination (2023–2024).
• Conclusion: 29 January 2026 — unanimous EU member state decision under terrorism sanctions regime.

Context

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has long been associated with systemic repression, extraterritorial operations, and support for armed groups designated as terrorist organizations by multiple governments.

By 2022, the question of formally designating the IRGC under terrorism sanctions regimes had become a matter of increasing political and legal debate within Europe.

Role and Initiation

In autumn 2022, Alireza Akhondi initiated the campaign by submitting a parliamentary motion during Sweden’s General Motion Period, calling on the Swedish government to actively work toward the terrorist designation of the IRGC.

Due to the structure of the Swedish parliamentary process, motions submitted during the General Motion Period are formally processed the following spring. During this interim period, the campaign expanded beyond Sweden to the European level.

Timeline

1. Autumn 2022
   Campaign initiated
   A formal motion is submitted in the Swedish Parliament calling for action toward the terrorist designation of the IRGC.
2. 16–19 January 2023
   Public mobilization in Strasbourg
   A large public demonstration, gathering approximately 10,000–20,000 participants, coincides with the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
3. 19 January 2023
   European Parliament resolution
   The European Parliament adopts its first-ever resolution explicitly calling for the IRGC to be designated as a terrorist organization.
4. 20 February 2023
   Demonstration in Brussels
   A demonstration in Brussels gathers approximately 30,000–35,000 participants, marking a shift from parliamentary advocacy to sustained governmental pressure.
5. Spring 2023
   Acceleration of sanctions
   Following the Brussels demonstration, the pace and scope of sanctions packages against Iran begin to accelerate, while formal decisions on IRGC designation remain pending.
6. 10 May 2023
   Swedish parliamentary decision
   The Swedish Parliament adopts a decision instructing the government to work toward the terrorist designation of the IRGC.
7. 2023–2024
   Government-level advocacy
   Approximately one hundred meetings are conducted with EU ambassadors from all member states, parliamentarians across multiple countries, and ministers in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel.
8. 29 January 2026
   Final decision — campaign concluded
   The governments of all EU member states unanimously decide to place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the EU countries’ terrorism sanctions regime. This decision marks the formal conclusion of the campaign.

Conclusion

With the adoption of the unanimous decision on 29 January 2026, the campaign reached its definitive end.

This site serves solely as historical documentation of the initiative and the role played by Alireza Akhondi in its development and execution.

For further background on Alireza Akhondi, please refer to: alirezaakhondi.com