Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the move puts Kosovo alongside its allies and backs international security.

“Through this decision, Kosovo strengthens its stance in defence of international security, democratic values and human rights,” Kurti said, adding the move represents “a clear alignment with our strategic allies in the joint fight against terrorism.”

He described the IRGC as a structure that uses “terrorism and organised violence as an instrument of foreign policy,” contributing to regional and global destabilisation.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, established after Iran’s 1979 revolution, is an ideological arm of the country’s armed forces tasked with safeguarding the clerical leadership. It also controls or owns companies across large parts of Iran’s economy, including key strategic sectors.

Several countries, including the United States, have already designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. The European Union has also moved in the same direction following Tehran’s crackdown on anti-government protests earlier this year.

Human rights groups say more than 6,000 people were killed during the protests in Iran, alleging that security forces, including the IRGC, fired directly at demonstrators.

Iran, which has a population of more than 91 million, does not recognise Kosovo and the two have no formal diplomatic relations.

Blacklisting typically entails asset freezes within the designating country and visa restrictions on an organisation’s leaders and officials.

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