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US Anti-IRGC Move a JCPOA Breach

US Anti-IRGC Move a JCPOA Breach
US Anti-IRGC Move a JCPOA Breach

A lawmaker denounced as a breach of the 2015 nuclear pact a proposal under consideration by US President Donald Trump’s administration to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps a terrorist organization.

“The Islamic Republic definitely views any sanctions move against its institutions and organizations as a violation of the US commitments [under the deal] and if this proposal becomes law, we will stand against [it] and take reciprocal action,” Masoud Goudarzi also told ICANA on Friday.

Reuters cited unnamed US officials as saying several American government agencies have been consulted about such a proposal, which if implemented would add to measures the United States has previously imposed on individuals and entities linked to IRGC.

The United States has already blacklisted dozens of entities and people for affiliations with IRGC. 

In 2007, the US Treasury designated the IRGC’s Qods Force, its elite unit in charge of operations abroad, for its alleged support of terrorism.

“The move shows that US officials are frightened of IRGC’s influential and prominent regional role,” Goudarzi said.

Terming IRGC a terrorist group would potentially have broad implications, including for the international nuclear agreement negotiated between Iran and the United States and other major world powers, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 

Republicans in Congress and Trump have harshly criticized the accord for making too much concession to the Islamic Republic.

It was championed by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, who left office on Jan. 20, to place temporary restrictions on Tehran and, in return, grant relief from most western sanctions.

Declaring IRGC a terrorist organization would also likely complicate the US fight against the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group in Iraq where Shia militias advised by IRGC commanders are battling to drive out IS militants. 

Some of Trump’s more hawkish advisors in the White House have been urging him to increase sanctions on Iran since his administration began to take shape. 

After tightening sanctions against Iran on Feb. 3 in response to a ballistic missile test, White House officials said the measures were an “initial” step.

Iran says its missile tests do not violate the landmark deal and a subsequent United Nations Security Council resolution to endorse it. 

 

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