The Trump administration is planning to step up pressure on Iran by labeling its Revolutionary Guard a “foreign terrorist organization,” The Associated Press reported Monday.
Two U.S. officials and a congressional aide told the AP that an official designation could come as early as Monday.
The move would likely further isolate Iran and significantly impact Middle East policy.
{mosads}The Wall Street Journal first reported on the potential designation on Friday.
President Trump confirmed on Monday that the Guard would be designated as a terrorist organization.
“This action sends a clear message to Tehran that its support for terrorism has serious consequences,” he said in a statement. “We will continue to increase financial pressure and raise the costs on the Iranian regime for its support of terrorist activity until it abandons its malign and outlaw behavior.”
Trump has taken a hard line against Iran since taking office, previously pulling the U.S. out of the Obama administration’s nuclear pact and reimposing sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation.
If the Guard is designated a terrorist organization it would face additional sanctions, including freezes on assets it may have in U.S. jurisdictions and a ban on Americans doing business with or providing material support for its activities, according to the AP.
That could complicate U.S. activities in Iraq and Lebanon, where several militias and parties have ties to the Guard, which could lead communication with U.S. troops to be barred.
Iranian lawmakers have already warned against designating the Guard as a terrorist organization.
More than 200 Iranian lawmakers reportedly signed onto a statement Sunday calling that called plan “inappropriate and idiotic.”
“We will answer any action taken against this force with a reciprocal action. So the leaders of America, who themselves are the creators and supporters of terrorists in the (Middle East) region, will regret this inappropriate and idiotic action,” the statement reads.