European Parliament Condemns Iran Crackdown, Calls for IRGC Terrorist Designation and Stronger EU Action

The European Parliament building in Strasbourg. (Attribution: © Cayambe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a sweeping resolution condemning what it described as the “brutal repression and mass murders” carried out by Iran’s authorities against nationwide protests, calling for urgent, tougher measures against Tehran, including the full designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

The resolution, adopted on 22 January 2026, followed an intense parliamentary session marked by standing ovations for Iranian protesters and sharp criticism of the Iranian clerical dictatorship. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum denounced the violent crackdown that began after nationwide demonstrations erupted on December 28, 2025, and rapidly escalated into one of the largest uprisings in years.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola reiterated her decision to bar all Iranian regime diplomats and representatives from Parliament premises, declaring that Europe “will not allow the Iranian regime to use any platform in Europe to legitimize its brutality.” She urged sustained pressure, including stronger sanctions and the long-debated listing of the IRGC as a terrorist entity.

The resolution states that Iranian security forces, including the IRGC and police, have used lethal force, mass arrests, executions, and an unprecedented nationwide internet blackout to suppress protests that spread to hundreds of cities. It notes credible reports from UN bodies that thousands of peaceful protesters have been killed, with the true death toll obscured by communications shutdowns.

Lawmakers stressed that the protests represent a broad-based uprising driven by economic collapse, corruption, and political repression, rejecting Tehran’s claims that the demonstrations were orchestrated by foreign agents. Several speakers highlighted that nearly 60 percent of Iran’s population is under 39, underscoring the depth of generational discontent.

Petras Auštrevičius, co-chair of the “Friends of a Free Iran” group, said Iran “needs change, and that change is on the way,” as lawmakers rose to applaud the courage of protesters confronting the clerical regime. Milan Zver, a Slovenian MEP and former minister, emphasized that people in more than 200 cities had demanded freedom, urging Europe to “stand with the Iranian people now.”

The resolution calls for expanded and strictly enforced sanctions, asset freezes, travel bans, and legal accountability for Iranian officials involved in repression. It also urges EU institutions and member states to prepare for all scenarios, including a potential collapse of the regime, while preventing perpetrators of repression from seeking refuge in Europe.

In addition, Parliament demanded the immediate restoration of internet access, the release of all political prisoners and detainees, and unhindered access for UN investigators. It voiced strong support for Iranian civil society, women, minorities, and democratic opposition forces, stressing that Iran’s future must be determined by its people alone.

The text also addresses broader concerns, including Iran’s regional activities, support for armed proxy groups, cyber operations, cooperation with Russia to evade sanctions, and transnational repression targeting the Iranian diaspora in Europe.

The resolution concludes by calling for coordinated international action, deeper engagement with Iran’s democratic opposition, and sustained solidarity with the Iranian people, describing the current uprising as clear evidence of the regime’s growing illegitimacy and the unsustainability of its rule.