Australia Sanctions Several Senior IRGC and Navy Commanders

The Australian government, in response to what it termed the 'destabilizing behavior' of the Islamic Republic, imposed targeted sanctions on five Iranian individuals and three other entities. Among the senior officials sanctioned on Tuesday, May 15, are Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, Iran's Minister of Defense, and Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In its statement, the Australian Foreign Ministry described the IRGC as a 'malignant actor' and stated that this military branch has posed a 'threat to international security and the people of Iran.' The sanctioned individuals also include senior Iranian officials, businessmen, and companies involved in the development of Iran's missile and drone programs. According to the statement, 'the proliferation and provision of these technologies to the Islamic Republic's proxy countries have fueled years of instability across the region.' The Australian government has faced pressure regarding its previous stance on designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization. In addition to Ismail Qaani and Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, individuals such as Gholamali Rashid, commander of the Central Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya, Amir Hatami, advisor to the Supreme Commander and former Minister of Defense, and Mehdi Ghodratcheyan, CEO of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA), are also on the new sanctions list. According to the Australian Foreign Ministry, the IRGC Navy, the Dama company that designs and manufactures aircraft engines, and the Technological Communication Industry company that produces missile guidance systems have also been sanctioned. Recently, the IRGC Navy seized a civilian ship linked to Israel (flying the Portuguese flag) in international waters. Australia continues to demand the immediate release of the ship and its crew. The Australian Foreign Ministry emphasized that today's sanctions list signifies that the government of Australia, which has already sanctioned 90 individuals and 100 entities related to the Islamic Republic, is 'committed to a strong response' against the Islamic Iranian government. Australia added that it will continue to exert pressure on Iran to halt the regime's 'destructive' activities and adhere to international laws. Prior reports indicated Australia's intention to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, with Sky News Australia reporting on the government's 'backtrack' from this decision. According to opposition members in Australia, the government was 'very close' to designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization in mid-January of last year, but within less than three weeks, the government's position changed, stating that it could not classify the IRGC as a terrorist group based on national laws. The U.S. designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization in April 2019, subsequently urging its allies to follow suit; however, Britain, Australia, and the European Union have refrained from this action so far. Following the downing of the Ukrainian passenger plane by IRGC missiles, many political activists abroad, including the Association of Families of Flight Victims and Eye Witnesses of Protests, have made significant efforts to have the IRGC listed as a terrorist group in Europe.