France Shifts Stance: Supports Designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guards as Terrorists

In a significant shift in policy, France announced its support for a move led by Italy to classify Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization within the European Union. This declaration was made on Wednesday by the French presidency, highlighting a change from France's previous reluctance to label the powerful military entity that operates under the command of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The IRGC has been implicated in a severe crackdown on protests that have erupted across Iran. The French presidency confirmed its backing for the proposal to include the IRGC on the EU's list of terrorist organizations, which is already recognized by countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States, but not yet by the European Union or the United Kingdom. The proposal from Italy is set to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday. This marks a notable shift in France’s approach to the IRGC, which has long faced scrutiny but had not previously been classified as a terrorist organization by Paris. In response to this potential designation, Iranian authorities have expressed strong opposition, warning of severe consequences should the IRGC be officially labeled as a terror group. Tehran even summoned the Italian ambassador to convey its displeasure over Rome's initiative. The IRGC, which was established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, functions as an ideological arm of Iran’s military and plays a pivotal role in maintaining the regime's power. It oversees a vast network of companies that control key sectors of the Iranian economy. Moreover, it is anticipated that during the EU meeting, the bloc could announce asset freezes and visa bans on 21 individuals and entities, including senior members of the IRGC. These measures have been pushed forward amid increasing evidence of the IRGC's involvement in the violent suppression of protests. The situation in Iran has been dire, with government reports acknowledging thousands of deaths during recent demonstrations. Officials state that over 3,000 individuals were killed, primarily suggesting that most casualties were either members of the security forces or bystanders killed by rioters. However, human rights groups provide a starkly different narrative, asserting that the actual death toll could be much higher, potentially tens of thousands, and highlight the role of the IRGC in violently dispersing protests. This development signifies increasing pressure on the EU to act against Iran’s human rights violations and could lead to intensified diplomatic tensions in the region. With human rights concerns mounting globally, the outcome of the EU discussions on the IRGC may pave the way for broader sanctions and a reevaluation of relations with Iran. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2