France has reversed its long-standing position and announced support for adding Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to the European Union’s list of terrorist organisations, a move that significantly strengthens momentum within the bloc for tougher action against Tehran. The shift comes ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers, who are also expected to approve fresh sanctions over Iran’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests.

Paris had previously been cautious about backing the designation, fearing it could sever diplomatic ties with Iran and complicate efforts to secure the release of European nationals detained there. However, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the scale and severity of Iran’s response to protests had made continued restraint untenable. In a statement posted on X, Barrot said the “unbearable repression of the peaceful uprising of the Iranian people cannot go unanswered.”

EU foreign ministers gathering in Brussels were already scheduled to sign off on new sanctions targeting Iranian officials and entities linked to the crackdown, which has reportedly left thousands dead and many more arrested since protests erupted in December. France’s endorsement of the IRGC listing brings it into alignment with a majority of EU member states that have been pushing for the step, following similar action by the United States.

Also Read: Senior Iranian Official: US Attack Will Face 'Hardest' Response

The IRGC was established after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution to safeguard the country’s Shi’ite clerical system and has since grown into one of the most powerful institutions in the Islamic Republic. It wields extensive influence over Iran’s economy and armed forces and oversees key strategic programmes, including ballistic missiles and elements of the nuclear initiative.

With France, Germany and Italy now backing the move, EU diplomats say political approval for the designation is likely. Supporters argue that the IRGC’s central role in suppressing protests at home, combined with its activities abroad, justifies its inclusion on the terrorism list as a strong political signal.

Some member states had earlier warned that such a decision could damage diplomatic channels and endanger Europeans held in Iran. However, diplomats backing the shift said the magnitude of the crackdown left Europe with little choice but to act decisively, marking a clear hardening of the EU’s stance toward Tehran.

Also Read: US Ambassador Warns Iran at UN Security Council: "All Options Are on the Table" Over Crackdown