
The new information about the IRGC revealed in a press conference in Washington D.C On Tuesday, 14 February 2017,
The NCRI further revealed that in addition to the forces who are trained for military action as part of the regime’s overall meddling in the region, terrorist units of the Quds Force are also trained in separate and secret units and are dispatched to various countries.
Where does Europe stand on the IRGC’s role in formation of paramilitary terrorist groups in Iraq or its role in Yemen helping the Houthi? Are they still failing to recognize the connection between the IRGC’s spread of extremism and terrorism and the negative impact of their own policy towards the heart of Islamic fundamentalism?
Despite the IRGC’s undeniable conduct in Syria, which can only be described as war crimes, and despite its role in domestic suppression, it seems as though it is business as usual for Europe. The European countries seem to be so eager to get their hands on Iranian market that they are prepared to not only ignore Tehran’s rogue behavior and its consequence for Western interests and the Iranian people, but also to trample on their own principles and values.
Europe is not only accepting humiliation but is also helping the very entity that is responsible for war crimes and support for terrorism. The IRGC, through its various subsidiaries, is currently dominating Iran’s economy.
For many years through its network in Iran, the MEK has exposed mullahs’ secret nuclear weapons program being run by the IRGC, as well as IRGC engagement in terrorism, missile program and atrocities against Iranian peoples, but so far Europeans have decided to ignore these facts.
It is time for Europe to end its deadly inaction vis-à-vis the IRGC and its policy on Iran. It is, indeed, time to revise its approach on Iran by looking beyond short term economic interests. The negative consequences far outweigh the short-term benefits of helping, through business, the leading state sponsor of terrorism and in particular its most suppressive arm, the IRGC. More important, European governments should realize that the clerical regime is very vulnerable and shaky at home. Europe should not put all its eggs in one basket, nor give away crucial leverage. It should be reminded that the clerical regime is desperately in need of relations with Europe, and could be forced to make important sacrifices in pursuit of those relations.
Toward this end, the following steps must be taken:
1. Stop all business with the IRGC and its affiliate companies, and make all trade with Tehran contingent upon its halting executions and ending IRGC meddling in other countries and support for terrorism.
2. Call for immediate removal of the IRGC and its affiliates from Syria, or impose punitive sanctions if Tehran refuses to do so.