The United States is to designate Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard a "terrorist" group, a move aimed at disrupting the business network of the Islamic republic's elite military wing, a US government official said Wednesday.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed reports in leading US newspapers Wednesday that the administration of President George W. Bush was planning to issue an executive order allowing the government to block the assets of the group. Washington suspects the 125,000-strong group of providing support to extremists in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the Middle East.
The Washington Post reported that the administration has decided to give a "terrorist" designation to the Revolutionary Guard and an executive order to that effect would be issued by US President George W. Bush "in the coming days."
The New York Times, quoting senior administration officials, said current plans called for the declaration to be made this month, but cautioned that it could be put off. The effort could still be set aside if the UN Security Council moved more quickly to impose broad sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, the Times said.
If the action is taken, the Revolutionary Guard would be the first national military branch included on a US list of individuals, businesses, charities and extremist groups believed to be engaged in terrorist activities.