Good morning.
There has been lots of comment from European leaders on the EU's decision yesterday to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola: "Designating the Iranian regime's oppressive IRGC as a terrorist organization is the right decision, [and one] that even a few weeks ago so many said was impossible. Proud of the European Parliament's sustained, unified effort that helped push this breakthrough. Now, time to stand strong. Iran will be free."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: "It is a clear signal against the brutal violence in Iran: The EU's classification of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization makes it clear: The peaceful Iranian demonstrators must not be silenced. We stand with them."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: "I welcome the political agreement on new sanctions against the murderous Iranian regime. And on the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization. This was long overdue. «Terrorist» is indeed how you call a regime that crushes its own people’s protests in blood. Europe stands with the people of Iran in their brave fight for freedom."
Over in the US, Iran’s former crown prince, Reza Pahlavi: "I welcome the EU’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This important step sends a message to the criminal regime that it has no global legitimacy. We now need further concrete action to protect the Iranian people and to support a legitimate transitional government leading Iran to democracy.
According to the latest aggregated data compiled by HRANA, as of January 29, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6,479. Of these, 6,092 were protesters.
We are now closing the live blog for today. We'll be back again tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. Central European time to follow the latest developments in Iran.
Iran's Internet Blackout Is Already Showing Cracks
Iran's Internet blackout, leveled at the height of mass protests against the regime, is still largely holding -- but the state is allowing some users, such as banks and other institutions, to reconnect.
Green Movement Leader Musavi Calls For Change In Government
On January 29, Mir Hossein Musavi, one of the leaders of the Green Movement, called the this year's bloody crackdown "treasonous and a great crime against the people."
He also called for a constitutional referendum and a change of government in Iran without foreign intervention.
Musavi has been under house arrest since 2011 for his role in the Green Movement protests of 2009, following a disputed presidential election.
"Enough is enough," he wrote in a statement. "The game is over.... You do not have a solution to any of the country's crises, nor does the nation have any choice but to protest again until a result is reached."
Musavi, who served as prime minister from 1981 till 1989, said that "sooner or later, and probably sooner," the military and law enforcement will no longer be willing to suppress protesters, adding: "Put down your guns and step down from power so that the nation itself can lead this land to freedom and prosperity."
Russia Says Ready To Evacuate Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Plant
Aleksei Likhachyov, CEO of Russia's Rosatom State Atomic Agency, announced on January 29 that Russia is ready to evacuate its employees from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran if necessary.
"We sincerely hope that the parties to the conflict will adhere to their commitments regarding the inviolability and inviolability of this territory (Bushehr)," Russia's state-run TASS news agency quoted Likhachyov as saying.
"But, as they say, we are closely monitoring the situation and, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, we will be ready to carry out evacuation measures if necessary."
Speaking at the time of the 12-day Iran-Israel war of June 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that hundreds of Russian citizens were working at the facility, Iran's only active nuclear power plant built by Moscow.
While the US targeted three of Iran's key nuclear facilities in June 2025, it did not target Bushehr. At the time, Likhachyov warned that an attack on the site could result in a disaster comparable to the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986.
EU Designates Iran's Revolutionary Guards As Terrorist Organization
EU foreign ministers have just agreed to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Read our news story here.
And earlier, the EU approved sanctions against members of the government, judiciary, police, and IRGC, as well as against institutions responsible for Internet censorship.
Good morning.
EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss the situation in Iran. Ministers are expected to impose travel bans and asset freezes on Iranian officials over the violent crackdown on protesters and to discuss the designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is in favor:
"This week, Europe has a historic opportunity, and duty, to finally designate the Iranian regime's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This is more than symbolic. This matters. Europe has a responsibility to act. The millions of Iranians living under oppression look to us for moral clarity and leadership. The thousands of people murdered on the streets deserve a semblance of justice. The people of Iran deserve to be free. Their oppressors should find no safe haven."
France is also in favor. (Read our piece from yesterday.)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X on January 28:
"Iran: There can be no impunity. Together with our European partners, we will adopt sanctions tomorrow in Brussels against those responsible for these abuses. They will be banned from entering European territory, and their assets will be frozen. France will support the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations."
According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data, as of January 28, the total number of confirmed fatalities has reached 6,373. Of these, 5,993 were protesters, 113 were children under the age of 18, 214 were forces affiliated with the government, and 53 were non-protesters/civilians.
Foreign Minister Araqhchi: Iran Has 'Fingers On The Trigger'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi warned on January 28 that the Islamic republic's armed forces have their "fingers on the trigger" and are ready to deliver a powerful response to any US military strike.
Araqhchi said that, following the 12-day conflict with Israel last year, Iran is now capable of responding “more strongly, rapidly, and profoundly” to any attack.
Tehran, however, he said, was still open to a "fair, equitable, and mutually beneficial" nuclear agreement.
Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader, also issued a warning on January 28 via a post on X, stating that in the event of an attack, the Islamic republic would deliver an "immediate, all-out, and unprecedented" response, targeting "the heart of Tel Aviv and all supporters of the aggressor."
Rubio: Protests In Iran Will Flare Up Again
Speaking at a meeting of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was currently no plan to attack Iran but that building up military forces in the region was "wise and prudent."
In summary, Rubio said:
- The regime's crackdown tactics were "horrifying," noting that Iranian snipers killed protesters.
- The regime is "weaker than it has ever been," unable to fix protesters' main issue: economic stagnation worsened by sanctions.
- Protests have quieted for now but will likely "spark up again."
- In response to a question about the US State Department's estimate of the number of people killed in the protests, Rubio said: "Definitely in the thousands."
Glimpses Of Iran's Brutal Crackdown Trickle Out Despite Internet Blackout
Despite the Internet blackout, videos showing the extent of Iran's crackdown on protests continue to trickle out. Iranians inside the country have told RFE/RL's Radio Farda how security forces engaged in mass shootings and arrested tens of thousands before quiet returned to the streets of Iran.
