BELGIUM – The European Union on Thursday designated the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, according the EU’s foreign policy chief.

“Repression cannot go unanswered. EU Foreign Ministers just took the decisive step of designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization,” Kaja Kallas wrote on the US social media company X’s platform.

Her remarks came as foreign ministers from EU member states were holding talks in Brussels.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the “long overdue” designation.

“Terrorist is indeed how you call a regime that crushes its own people’s protests in blood,” she wrote on X, adding that Europe stands with the people of Iran “in their brave fight for freedom.”

Speaking at a news conference following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Kallas said the EU already has “sweeping sanctions” in place against Iran.

Indicating that the designation will put the IRGC on the same list with ISIS (Daesh), Hamas, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda, she said: “Those who operate through terror must be treated as terrorists.”

Kallas said the ministers were clear that Iran must release all those “unjustly detained,” including EU nationals.

“We must be ready to further increase pressure on the authorities,” she said.

“I think the region does not need a new war,” Kallas said in response to a question about whether the decision means the EU would support potential US military strikes against Iran.

Iran, meanwhile, has accused the EU of “fanning the flames” after the designation.

“Europe is instead busy fanning the flames,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, criticizing the bloc for following Washington’s lead.

In a statement following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, the European Council said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha joined the talks via videoconference and provided an overview of the situation on the ground, Ukraine’s most urgent priorities, and recent diplomatic developments.

“It was a war crime (for Russia) to attack civilian infrastructure like energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools, apartment buildings,” Kallas was quoted in the statement as saying.

She said that now, energy is the new front line as Russia tries to “weaponize the winter,” as it is “failing to win on the battlefield.”

The ministers then discussed how to increase pressure on Russia, noting the decision to add Russia to the list of countries “at risk of money laundering,” and ongoing work on the €90 billion ($107.2 billion) loan and 20th sanctions package.

The statement said the Council also imposed restrictive measures targeting six individuals in “light of Russia’s continued hybrid activities.”

Turning to the situation in the Middle East, the ministers said an inclusive political transition and national reconciliation process are “key to preventing Syria from sliding back into instability.”

They also discussed the EU’s contribution to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict following the US announcement of the launch of the second phase of the plan, with a focus on security, governance and reconstruction.

“Ultimately, the security of Gaza must lie in the hands of the Palestinians,” said Kallas.

On governance, EU foreign ministers exchanged views on the possible EU role in the “Board of Peace,” following up on the informal meeting of the members of the European Council of Jan. 22.

“Ministers expressed readiness to work together with the US on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, with a Board of Peace carrying out its mission as a transitional administration, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803,” it added.

Separately, the Council adopted further sanctions against seven people responsible for violence and violations of human rights in Sudan.

Algoney Hamdan Dagalo Musa, a major in the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and brother of the head of the RSF, as well as brigadier generals, commanders and other members of the RSF are among those sanctioned, the statement added.