Thread by @HNeumannMEP

There has been a lot of talk and misinformation about the #IRGC's inclusion on the 🇪🇺 EU terror list.

So here is a 🧵 thread to clarify things - for my own position, read until the end:

#Iran #IRGCterrorists

(1/15)

❓ What kind of sanctions can the EU impose

➡️ UN sanctions the 🇪🇺 implements
➡️ EU may take a more severe stance by applying stricter+additional measures
➡️ Fully autonomous 🇪🇺 sanction regimes and targeted sanctions on individuals / entities

(2/15)

❓ Which 🇪🇺 EU sanctions are already in place against the #IRGC

1⃣ The EU has listed & sanctioned the entire IRGC under the Weapons of Mass Destruction sanctions regime. The same sanctions already apply as in the case of a terrorist listing.

bit.ly/List-of-persons

(3/15)

2⃣ Leading figures & entities of the #IRGC are being sanctioned for their role in supplying drones to Russia used against Ukraine: e.g. Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the IRGC, and the entire IRGC Aerospace Force.

bit.ly/Council_Implem…

(4/15)

3⃣ The #IRGC Qods Force is being sanctioned for supporting terrorists & Islamic militants abroad (see bit.ly/Council_Regula…) and for providing equipment & support to help the Syrian regime suppress protests in #Syria (see bit.ly/Council-Implem…).

(5/15)

#Iran #IRGCterrorists

❓ Who decides on sanctions

All these 🇪🇺 EU sanctions are adopted by EU member states with unanimity. Usually this happens in meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council (🗓️ next meeting on 23 January).

EU countries are also responsible to implement the sanctions.

(6/15)

#Iran

❓ What would change with #IRGC on terror list

➡️ It is mainly a strong political symbol, calling them what they are – terrorists.
➡️ Consequences would be i.a. asset freezes, but such measures are already in place under another regime, see tweet 3 of this thread

(7/15)

#Iran

❓ Why is the IRGC not on the 🇪🇺 EU terror list

➡️ Political reasons: So far, there is not yet a majority for this step
➡️ @ABaerbock has announced that listing the IRGC is politically important and that new listings will be undertaken at the next Foreign Affairs Council
(8/15)

But things are moving. Especially Germany (

https://twitter.com/HNeumannMEP/status/1612533534807461891

) and the Netherlands (

https://twitter.com/DonCeder/status/1605930823772909570?s=20&t=nLudZ61qc7rP6bP6UsqJbA

) started the discussion.

(9/15)

➡️ Legal concerns: To list an organisation as terror list, it needs a conviction or at least an investigation against the group for terror acts in at least on member states, see:
bit.ly/Council_Common…

(10/15)

Adding #IRGC on terror list and then having a court annul that decision would be the worst of all signals. So we need to make sure any listing is legally waterproof.

(11/15)

➡️ Practical concerns: A listing could also have severe effects on people in compulsory military service or humanitarian projects in Iran. We need to find ways to minimise such potential collateral damage.

(12/15)

❓ What will happen in the EU Parliament next week?

Parliament cannot decide on sanctions. But we will have a debate and a resolution on Iran. In this resolution, we can call on member states to list the #IRGC as terror organisation.

https://twitter.com/hneumannmep/status/1613157317998174212?s=46&t=5AOnJont0R_PGUe5TztGng

(13/15)

The Iranian regime, esp. through the #IRGC, terrorises its own citizens & the whole region.
It's time to start treating them as terrorists:
No red carpet
No negotiations
No travel
No business

This is the core.

(14/15)

Putting #IRGC on the terror list would be a strong symbol on top - if we can mitigate legal and practical concerns

(15/15)

(10/15/2) I tried to simplify for twitter but of course you caught me ;) It can also be a ruling in a 3rd country that needs to be checked against specific criteria. If anyone knows of such ruling that could withstand all criteria outlined in common position, please let me know.