The Council of the EU on Jan. 29 imposed fresh sanctions against Iran in connection with its support for Russian aggression in Ukraine and human rights violations at home. EU foreign ministers also agreed to designate the IRGC, a powerful and elite branch of Iran's armed forces, as a terrorist organization, a largely symbolic move. "Repression cannot go unanswered," said Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat, during a meeting of European foreign ministers in Brussels. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, responded by accusing Europe of "fanning the flames" and calling the designation of the IRGC a "major strategic mistake." With the latest measures, the EU has imposed sanctions against 247 individuals and 50 entities in total in connection with Iran's human rights abuses.