Australian Shadow FM Advocates For Designating IRGC

The Australian Shadow Assistant Foreign Minister expressed disappointment that Australia has not listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

In an interview with Iran International, Senator Claire Chandler voiced her concerns about Iran's influence in using proxies to spread terror and violence globally. Attacks by IRGC operatives have been thwarted across the globe, in countries including the UK, Cyprus and Azerbaijan.

Chandler emphasized the link between the Islamic Republic of Iran and entities like Hamas and Hezbollah, both known for their involvement in acts of terror, referring to the current war in Gaza, triggered by the October 7 of Hamas in Israel, killing 1,200 mostly civilians. Since then, increasing attacks from Hezbollah on Israel's north have meant 150,000 Israelis have been displaced from north and south Israel.

“We know that the Islamic Republic of Iran regime funds Hamas, which is obviously causing so much terror and violence currently in the Middle East. They founded Hezbollah. And of course, are closely linked with the IRGC,” noted Chandler.

She underscored the role of the IRGC in these activities, urging the Australian government to designate it as a terrorist organization. The Australian Senate had recommended such a designation in February, but Canberra has indicated legal uncertainties surrounding the matter.

In 2019, the United States, under the Trump administration, designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist group amidst escalating tensions with Iran following Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. In response, Tehran designated the US military as a terrorist group. Other countries such as the UK, Canada and France, have so far hesitated to follow suit but have sanctioned the organization and individuals linked to it heavily.