London sanctions the Revolutionary Guards

The United Kingdom announced, Monday, April 24, to sanction “in its entirety” the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This measure is part of a salvo of measures decided by the West for human rights violations.

In total, London has added to its list of sanctions linked to Iran more than 70 personalities and entities, banned from traveling to the United Kingdom and targeted by asset freezes, said the British Foreign Office. This includes four Revolutionary Guard generals by name, the ministry said. Coordinated with the United States and the European Union, this announcement brings the British list to 300 personalities and entities.

“We will not turn a blind eye to oppression”

“The UK and its international partners reaffirm today that we will not turn a blind eye to the brutal oppression carried out by the regime.”said the head of diplomacy, James Cleverly, quoted in the press release.

“We will continue to take a whole series of measures to hold the regime to account for its actions”, he added. He denounces “the brutal repression exercised against the Iranian people” and accuses Tehran of“export the bloodbath all over the world”.

While the British government has steadily tightened its sanctions against the Revolutionary Guards, it has so far resisted calls to classify this army as “terrorist organization” at the risk of cutting off all contact with Tehran.