Iran: Concerns grow over IRGC terror designation

Iran: Concerns grow over IRGC terror designation

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has been designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Iran, April 11, 2019 - Concerns are escalating among regime officials in Iran Following the United States’ unprecedented designation of the mullahs’ Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” (FTO).

In a move attempting to save face, 255 members of the regime’s Majlis (parliament) described the IRGC terror designation as a threat against “the state’s security, armed forces, and our red lines.”

One state media outlet in Iran wrote, “The Foreign Terrorist Organization list is the most important list of groups that the U.S. considers as terrorists and the State Department is responsible for convening this list. This also is tantamount to a military and defensive encounter with U.S. forces.”

Amir-Ali Abolfat’h, described as a “regime expert,” also expressed grave concerns over the IRGC’s terrorist designation.

“When a group or organization is classified as terrorists, U.S. intelligence, security, and military entities are obligated to fight these terrorists, and kill, arrest or punish them wherever they are found,” he said in remarks published by state media. “If such a plan becomes operational, all of the IRGC’s forces and facilities will be considered terrorist targets and this paves the way for U.S. attacks against IRGC forces and facilities,” he added in reference to the IRGC Quds Force’s presence in countries such as Syria and Iraq.

“According to U.S. claims, the IRGC has full control over Iran’s economy and if it is designated as a terrorist group, the U.S. is hoping [Iran’s] foreign economic partners will think twice about their cooperation with us considering the fact that they can come under U.S. accusations and penalties,” Abolfat’h continued.

Ali Khorram, the mullahs’ former ambassador to China and the United Nations in Europe, warned of the social implications following the IRGC FTO designation.

“Such circumstances will be tantamount to establishing new grounds for social protests. These rallies may be rooted in economic factors, such as increasing inflation or unemployment, shortage of goods and services, environmental crises or escalating sensitivity vis-à-vis the ruling state. However, these protests may mushroom in the form of political slogans and demands. Even if poor living conditions lead to such protests, it is foreseeable that many of the protesters will hold the country’s rulers as the main parties responsible for their problems. Thus, their protests will be targeting the state,” he said in remarks published by the state-run Hamdeli daily.

“Without a doubt [U.S.] sanctions seek to cripple the country’s economy and our policies in the region and across the globe. As explained by U.S. senators, they are looking to shut down and completely put down our economy,” the daily added.