Two diplomatic sources said that the European Union will add 37 individuals and entities to its sanctions against Iran next Monday, at a time when the European Union is working to classify the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a "terrorist organization."

Reuters news agency quoted one of the two sources - a diplomat from the European Union - as saying that the Union will adopt the fourth package of sanctions against Iran next Monday.

"We believe that we should really start working on the fifth package to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization," he added.

Today, Thursday, the European Parliament approved a resolution calling for further sanctions against any Iranian entities or individuals responsible for human rights abuses, and lawmakers also voted to designate the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity.

The European Parliament said, in a statement, that "the Iranian authorities must end the campaign of repression of its citizens, and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi should be added to the sanctions list."

The resolution approved by the European Parliament stated, "The Iranian regime's blatant contempt for human dignity and the democratic aspirations of its citizens, as well as its support for Russia," requires further amendments in the EU's position towards Iran, as the resolution puts it.

Abdullahian described the European Parliament's call to include the Revolutionary Guards on the list of terrorist organizations as unprofessional (IRNA)

Iranian warning

Iran has previously warned the European Union of the repercussions of designating the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian had described the European Parliament's call to include the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on the list of terrorist organizations as "unprofessional and ill-considered behavior."

Abdullahian called on the European Parliament to think about the consequences of the decision, focus on diplomacy, and deal rationally.

Pointing out that Iran will respond to any decision against it.

The Iranian official stressed that the Revolutionary Guard is an official institution, and it has an important role in ensuring the security of Iran and the region and in combating terrorism.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell commented on the European Parliament's decision, saying, "Although the European Parliament is a completely independent institution, this decision lacks executive capacity, and only reflects Europe's concerns."


Revolutionary Guards

The Revolutionary Guard was established shortly after the victory of the Iranian revolution in 1979, and it is under the command of the Supreme Leader of the Republic, Ali Khamenei.

The Guard is part of the Iranian armed forces, but it has specialized self-propelled land, sea and air-space forces.

The Guard, which is estimated to have more than 125,000 members, played a key role in developing Iranian military capabilities, especially missiles and drones.

As for its naval forces, estimated at about 20,000, it performs tasks in the vital sphere of the Islamic Republic, such as the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and beyond.