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April 8, 2019executivesanctionsterrorism designationIRGCexecutive action

Trump designates entire IRGC as Foreign Terrorist Organization

Trump designated the entire IRGC, including its Quds Force, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the first time the US ever designated a foreign government's military branch as an FTO. The Pentagon had opposed the move, fearing retaliation. Iran reciprocally designated US Central Command as a terrorist organization. This was a critical escalatory step toward direct military confrontation.