Reactions to the IRGC's Inclusion in the U.S. 'Foreign Terrorist Organizations' List

The inclusion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations has elicited reactions from officials in both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States. John Bolton, the White House National Security Advisor, reacted to the Trump administration's action on Twitter on April 8, stating: 'With the correct action of placing the IRGC on the foreign terrorist organizations list, it should be clear to everyone that any support for the IRGC comes with risks.' Bolton added that Iran continues to use terrorism to target the United States, its allies, and partners. Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, assessed the recent U.S. decision regarding the IRGC as a 'very serious development' between Tehran and Washington. In an interview with the second television network, Araghchi referred to 'the movement of American forces in the Persian Gulf,' stating: 'The responsibility for guarding the Persian Gulf lies with the IRGC, and new events may occur.' He indicated that the U.S. has crossed 'one of the fundamental red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran' by placing the IRGC on its terrorist list. On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump officially designated the entire IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. In recent days, Iranian officials had warned that any potential U.S. action in this regard would have 'consequences' for its forces in the region. The Supreme National Security Council of Iran announced that in response to the U.S. action, it considers the 'U.S. Central Command' in West Asia, known as CENTCOM, and all its affiliated forces as a 'terrorist group.' Araghchi further stated: 'The recent U.S. decision could have many repercussions, and from now on, Americans in their bases in the region are not American soldiers; from our perspective, these bases will be considered terrorist bases, and the forces stationed there will be recognized as terrorists.' He added that they had previously sent a direct message to the U.S. through Switzerland, stating that if the IRGC was placed on the terrorist list, they would take reciprocal action, and the responsibility for this action would lie with the Americans. Ebrahim Raisi, the head of the judiciary, also called on the Foreign Ministry and the Supreme National Security Council to 'retaliate' against this U.S. action. Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, also reacted to the IRGC's designation as a terrorist organization, stating that the IRGC has threatened American forces since its establishment. Hook emphasized that the IRGC is what endangers American forces in the Middle East, engaging in actions that have gone unpunished and have never been countered with its ambitions in the region. He noted that the U.S. has adopted a new overall approach that includes maximum economic pressure to cut off the IRGC's and Iran's access to the necessary revenues to pursue their foreign policy. Hook added that the IRGC is responsible for most of the repression in Iran. When you witnessed protests in 2009, the operations of arrests, detentions, harassment, and killings were carried out by the IRGC. They are a key factor in the repression of the Iranian people, who seek a better life. When we cut off their revenue sources, it will make operations and actions for the IRGC difficult. Meanwhile, Ilhan Omar, a Muslim representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, reacted to the IRGC's designation as a 'foreign terrorist organization,' stating that this action will escalate tensions, endanger American soldiers, and increase the likelihood of war. The Trump administration's decision to designate the IRGC as 'terrorist' comes on the eve of the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran and the intensification of sanctions on Tehran in the oil, shipping, and banking sectors, which have had widespread negative effects on Iran's economy.