The IRG is an elite military unit charged with upholding the country's Islamic rule. It reports directly to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Elements of the IRG are already designated under proliferation sanctions by the United Nations and EU, and are also listed as part of the EU sanctions against Syria. The IRG’s Quds Force paramilitary arm is subject to a global asset freeze and travel ban.
Five of its leading members, including commander Major General Qasem Soleimani, have been proscribed in Britain and across Europe for involvement in terrorist activities. But the IRG is not proscribed as an organisation in Britain or designated as a terrorist group by the EU.
A spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton said “concrete measures” had already been taken, but did not comment further on the ZF campaign or prospect of full proscription.
