US Declares Iran's Guard Force a 'Terrorist Organization'
Share
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Monday that the U.S. is designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a “foreign terrorist organization,” in an effort to increase pressure on the country that could have significant diplomatic implications in the Middle East.
“This unprecedented step, led by the Department of State, recognizes the reality that Iran is not only a State Sponsor of Terrorism, but that the IRGC actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft.” — President Donald Trump
It is the first time that the U.S. has designated a part of another government as a terrorist organization.The designation imposes sanctions that include freezes on assets the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may have in U.S. jurisdictions and a ban on Americans doing business with it.
“This unprecedented step, led by the Department of State, recognizes the reality that Iran is not only a State Sponsor of Terrorism, but that the IRGC actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft,” Trump said in a statement.
Iran has threatened to retaliate for the decision.

The Pentagon and U.S. Intelligence Agencies Have Raised Concerns
The IRGC is a paramilitary organization formed in the wake of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution to defend its clerically overseen government. The force answers only to Iran’s supreme leader, operates independently of the regular military and has vast economic interests across the country.
The Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies have raised concerns about the impact of the designation if the move does not allow contact with foreign officials who may have met with or communicated with Guard personnel.
The designation allows the U.S. to deny entry to people found to have provided the Guard with material support or prosecute them for sanctions violations. That could include European and Asian companies and businesspeople who deal with the Guard’s many affiliates.It will also complicate diplomacy. Without exclusions or waivers to the designation, U.S. troops and diplomats could be barred from contact with Iraqi or Lebanese authorities who interact with Guard officials or surrogates.
The Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies have raised concerns about the impact of the designation if the move does not allow contact with foreign officials who may have met with or communicated with Guard personnel. Those concerns have in part dissuaded previous administrations from taking the step, which has been considered for more than a decade.
The department currently designates 60 groups, such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State and their various affiliates, Hezbollah and numerous militant Palestinian factions, as “foreign terrorist organizations.” But none of them is a state-run military.
Madera County Launches New Team to Tackle Homelessness, Mental Health Crises
Local /
1 hour ago
US Senate Pushes Toward Aid, Public Broadcasting Cuts Sought by Trump
Politics /
1 hour ago
Authorities Seek Answers After Man Found Dead Near Rural Fresno County Road
Local /
2 hours ago
Fresno County Lifts Evacuation Order for Max Fire Near Pine Flat Lake
Local /
2 hours ago
Governors Should Be the Face of the Democratic Party
Opinion /
2 hours ago
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Ryan Joseph Enos
Crime /
3 hours ago
A New Invader Threatens California Water Supplies. Can State Stop Its Spread?
Water /
3 hours ago
Trump Indicated to Republican Lawmakers He Will Fire Fed’s Powell, CBS Reports
Politics /
3 hours ago
Bahrain to Announce $17 Billion in US Deals During Trump Talks
World /
4 hours ago
Federal Immigration Crackdown Threatens California’s Historic Housing Reforms
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
California has finally made real progress on one of i...
Opinion /
28 minutes ago
Categories
Latest
Videos

Opinion /
28 minutes ago
Federal Immigration Crackdown Threatens California’s Historic Housing Reforms

Local /
41 minutes ago
Fresno Fire Destroys Vacant Building on Blackstone Avenue

Crypto /
51 minutes ago
US House Clears Procedural Hurdle on Cryptocurrency Legislation

Local /
1 hour ago
Madera County Launches New Team to Tackle Homelessness, Mental Health Crises

Politics /
1 hour ago
US Senate Pushes Toward Aid, Public Broadcasting Cuts Sought by Trump

Local /
2 hours ago
Authorities Seek Answers After Man Found Dead Near Rural Fresno County Road

Local /
2 hours ago
Fresno County Lifts Evacuation Order for Max Fire Near Pine Flat Lake

Video /
2 days ago