Paris

France has announced it will back the European Union's potential designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, signaling a notable reversal from its previous reluctance, Al Jazeera reported.

The move comes amid mounting international condemnation of Tehran's crackdown on widespread protests, reflecting increased European diplomatic pressure on the Iranian leadership.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X (formerly Twitter) that France would join EU partners in supporting the IRGC's inclusion on the bloc's list of terrorist entities. “France will support the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the European list of terrorist organisations,” he wrote, urging the regime to “immediately release prisoners, end executions, lift the digital blockade, and allow the UN Human Rights Council’s fact-finding mission to investigate the crimes committed in Iran.”

Barrot described the ongoing repression of Iranian citizens as “unbearable” and said EU foreign ministers would adopt sanctions targeting individuals responsible, including travel bans and asset freezes, at an upcoming Brussels meeting.

France had previously hesitated to endorse the designation over concerns it could disrupt diplomatic channels with Tehran, including negotiations on detained Europeans. With the new stance, it joins countries such as Italy and Germany in supporting the move, which requires approval from all 27 EU member states.

Established after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, the IRGC wields significant influence over Iran’s military, economy, and politics, including ballistic missile and nuclear programs, and has been involved in regional operations. Supporters of the designation cite its role in domestic repression and regional conflicts as justification, in line with similar actions by the US, Canada, and Australia.

Tehran has dismissed the proposal as politically motivated, warning of “destructive consequences” and summoning the Italian ambassador earlier this week. The debate over the IRGC comes amid one of Iran’s deadliest protest movements in recent years, sparked by economic hardship and political grievances.

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The French announcement signals growing European consensus that stronger measures are needed to address both human rights abuses and security risks linked to Iran’s most powerful military institution.