Belgian coalition government | Photo courtesy of Amnesty International
The newly formed Belgian coalition government has strongly condemned the Iranian regime’s human rights violations and oppression of women while reaffirming its commitment to preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The coalition agreement, covering 2025–2029, was released after months of negotiations between multiple political parties and outlines Belgium’s domestic and foreign policy priorities.
The 209-page document, titled “Federal Coalition Agreement 2025-2029,” lays out Belgium’s diplomatic strategy, including measures to counter authoritarian threats, uphold democratic values, and reinforce Europe’s security architecture. Within this broader framework, the coalition highlights the Iranian regime’s destabilizing actions in the Middle East, its support for proxy groups, and its continued defiance of international human rights standards.
Belgium Joins European Push to List IRGC as a Terrorist Organization
The coalition agreement explicitly calls for the European Union to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, emphasizing that severe economic sanctions and punitive measures should be imposed on the Iranian regime. This aligns with growing European pressure to blacklist the IRGC due to its role in regional conflicts, terrorist financing, and systematic human rights abuses inside Iran.
#European Parliament Members Urge Designation of #IRGC as Terrorist Group Amid Security Concernshttps://t.co/cFJGKhoHIQ
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) October 23, 2024
“Together with other European nations, we propose that the IRGC be added to the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations and that harsh economic sanctions, as well as other punitive measures, be enforced against it,” the document states.
The move signals Belgium’s firm stance against Tehran’s state-sponsored terrorism, which has included assassination plots, espionage, and hostage diplomacy on European soil. In recent years, Belgian authorities have foiled multiple Iranian-linked terrorist plots, further justifying a hardline approach toward the regime.
Human Rights Abuses and Nuclear Threat Under Scrutiny
Beyond its counterterrorism measures, the coalition agreement condemns the Iranian regime’s brutal repression of its own people, particularly its violations of women’s rights and crackdowns on pro-democracy activists. The document underscores Belgium’s support for the Iranian people’s democratic aspirations and calls on Tehran to end its violent suppression of dissent.
#Iran News:
Germany Moves to Close Iranian Consulates, Calls for EU to Designate #IRGC as Terrorist Organizationhttps://t.co/pifmteiakj
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) October 31, 2024
Furthermore, the agreement reaffirms Belgium’s commitment to preventing the Iranian regime from obtaining nuclear weapons, stating that coordinated action with European allies is necessary to stop Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“In coordination with our allies, we will prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” the coalition states, making clear that Iran’s nuclear escalation poses a significant threat to global security.
Belgium’s New Foreign Policy Priorities
While Iran is a key focus of Belgium’s foreign policy, the coalition agreement also outlines broader diplomatic objectives, including:
Strengthening the European Union’s security and defense strategies
Expanding targeted sanctions against authoritarian regimes
Enhancing NATO cooperation to counter geopolitical threats
Supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression
Advancing democratic governance and human rights protections worldwide
The IRGC’s Possible Terrorist Designation Frightens Iran’s Regime https://t.co/I23FuFsSVZ
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 24, 2023
The formation of Belgium’s new government follows months of negotiations among parties from different ideological backgrounds, culminating in a coalition led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA). The agreement reflects a strong commitment to reinforcing European security and confronting regimes that threaten international stability.
A Clear Message to Tehran
Belgium’s firm stance against the Iranian regime aligns with an increasingly confrontational European approach, as multiple EU nations push for stronger sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and counterterrorism actions against Tehran. By officially endorsing the IRGC’s terrorist designation and condemning Iran’s systematic abuses, the Belgian government sends a clear signal: the clerical dictatorship in Iran will face continued international pressure until it abandons its oppressive and destabilizing policies.