Exclusive; Senator Tim Scott: More of our partners and allies should follow Canada's action in designating the IRGC as 'terrorist'

Following the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government, Republican Senator Tim Scott responded to a Voice of America reporter by stating, "We need more of our partners and allies, including the European Union, to follow this action." After Canada's announcement of adding the IRGC to its list of terrorist organizations, the Voice of America inquired about the opinions of several American lawmakers on this matter. One of these lawmakers, Senator Tim Scott, expressed in a written response to Voice of America: "Senator Scott has long been an advocate for coordinated efforts to pressure the Iranian regime and appreciates Canada for taking this step. We need more of our partners and allies, including the European Union, to follow this action." The message also noted: "Just last year, Senator Scott joined a letter with 11 Republican Senate colleagues encouraging the European Union to designate the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization." In this letter, the senators expressed their dissatisfaction with the EU's hesitation to designate the IRGC and its failure to add it to the EU's terrorist list. They wrote: "Amid the IRGC's ongoing support for Russia's war crimes in Ukraine, the EU's reluctance undermines our collective resolve against Russia and ignores the Iranian government's goal of instilling fear in the West." Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, also announced on Thursday that the Biden administration would assist other countries in their decision-making regarding the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization by providing information about the IRGC's activities. In response to a question from the Persian section of Voice of America, Miller welcomed Canada's recent action in designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization, calling the group's "terrorism and deadly conspiracies" a "danger to the entire world" and emphasized U.S. support for similar actions by other countries. He added that providing information to U.S. allies about global terrorism supporters is a routine action by the United States. Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, announced on Wednesday, June 30, in a press conference that the Canadian government had decided to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization "under criminal regulations." Concurrently with this action, the Canadian Foreign Minister emphasized in a post on X that the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization by Canada increases the risk of arbitrary detention of Canadians in Iran and warned citizens of this country about traveling to Iran. Melanie Joly wrote: "We strongly advise Canadians not to travel to Iran and urge those currently there to return immediately." The designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government was met with positive reactions from political, civil, and human rights activists, as well as prominent figures opposing the Islamic Republic; many from Europe and Australia have called for similar actions. Images attributed to fireworks and celebrations by a group of citizens in Saqqez in response to the Canadian government's decision were shared. Mehzad Zarei: Families seeking justice are pleased with the IRGC's placement on Canada's terrorist list. The U.S. called the IRGC a "danger to the entire world"; Miller: We will help other countries also consider the IRGC a "terrorist group." Michael McCaul praised Canada for designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization: The Islamic Republic continues to spread instability in the world. The U.S. praised Canada for designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization; the United States supports similar actions by other countries. Reactions to the IRGC's designation as a terrorist organization by Canada; widespread calls for similar actions from Australia and Europe. Canada has placed the IRGC on its list of terrorist groups.