France Backs EU Move to Designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard as Terrorists Amid Protest Crackdown

France has officially declared its readiness to support the listing of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization on the European Union's roster. This development comes in response to widespread allegations from human rights organizations accusing the IRGC of orchestrating a brutal crackdown on protests in Iran, where over 6,221 deaths and more than 42,324 arrests have been reported according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

On January 28, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that the European Union would soon impose sanctions against those responsible for these human rights violations. These sanctions are expected to include travel bans and asset freezes targeting Iranian officials connected to the oppressive measures. Italy is set to propose the IRGC's designation to fellow EU countries, with France's backing seen as a critical factor in advancing this initiative.

Barrot emphasized the urgent need to respond to the "severe repression of peaceful protests" and called for the release of political prisoners, a halt to executions, and the authorization of a UN fact-finding mission to investigate alleged crimes in Iran. French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon described the repression as "unprecedented in contemporary Iranian history," underscoring France's firm stance that there are "no taboos" regarding assigning the IRGC terrorist status.

Tehran has warned of "destructive consequences" if the EU follows through with the designation. Meanwhile, tensions rise internationally, with former US President Donald Trump issuing a warning that "time is running out" before a potential attack on Iran, which has threatened to respond "like never before" to any military actions.

This diplomatic move by France and Italy signals a significant escalation within the EU's foreign policy toward Iran, highlighting growing international condemnation of Iran's response to internal dissent and the IRGC's role in violent repression.