EU Bloc Nears IRGC Terror Listing as France, Germany Align with Italy Amid Iran Crackdown

PARIS/BRUSSELS – France announced Wednesday it will back a pivotal move to place Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the European Union's official list of terrorist organizations, marking a critical escalation in the bloc's response to Tehran's internal repression.The decision, confirmed by the Élysée Palace and Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, aligns Paris with Italy, which spearheaded the push, and Germany, whose Chancellor Friedrich Merz also voiced strong support earlier the same day. This consolidation of political will among the EU's major economic powers makes the designation highly probable for approval in upcoming sessions.“France supports the inclusion of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the European list of terrorist organisations,” the Élysée stated. Minister Barrot added that the “unbearable repression of the peaceful uprising of the Iranian people cannot go unanswered,” emphasizing the moral imperative behind the policy pivot.Historically, France had maintained reservations regarding the listing, fearing that such a designation could irrevocably sever diplomatic and economic channels with Tehran. The IRGC, which functions as the ideological spearhead of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is already designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, and Australia.The economic ramifications of an EU listing are substantial. Under current European Council regulations, designation would subject IRGC members to comprehensive asset freezes, international travel bans, and a strict prohibition on providing any funds or economic resources to listed entities. This move targets the financial and operational reach of one of Iran’s most influential state organs.The geopolitical pressure stems directly from the severe crackdown on mass protests that erupted in Iran following economic discontent in late December. Reports detailing the scale of the violence, including thousands of casualties documented by monitoring groups such as the Human Rights Activists News Agency, have galvanized European capitals.With France, Germany, and Italy now aligned, analysts suggest the political hurdle for formal adoption is largely cleared. This unified European action represents a significant geopolitical shift, prioritizing human rights concerns and internal stability in Iran over maintaining nuanced engagement with the regime, a strategy that characterized previous EU policy toward Tehran.Source: Based on reporting by France 24 and associated international wire services.