The European Union is moving toward formally designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, marking a significant policy realignment after France announced its support for the measure. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the position shift via social media, stating France would endorse the IRGC’s inclusion on the EU’s terrorist list.
This development represents a notable departure from France’s traditionally independent Middle East policy, which frequently diverged from Washington’s approach. Historically, France opposed the 2003 Iraq invasion and championed the 2015 nuclear agreement, viewing it as a commercial opportunity for French energy giants including EDF, Framatome, and TotalEnergies.
The French reversal signals strengthened alignment with United States and Israeli positions regarding Iran. This geopolitical shift was foreshadowed by leaked communications between French President Emmanuel Macron and former U.S. President Donald Trump indicating coordinated thinking on Iran policy.
Current tensions have escalated dramatically following Trump’s social media threats of ‘precision strikes’ against Iranian officials and military infrastructure. Referencing previous operations against Iran, Trump warned that future actions would be ‘far worse’ if diplomatic demands remain unmet.
European nations appear to be consolidating their stance alongside Washington amid growing regional instability. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared the Iranian government had ‘lost legitimacy’ and predicted its potential collapse within ‘a matter of weeks,’ citing the regime’s reliance on violence against protesters.
The IRGC constitutes Iran’s elite military branch, operating separately from conventional armed forces while maintaining direct accountability to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Beyond its military functions, the organization controls substantial economic interests throughout Iran.
Regional analysts suggest that heightened pressure could potentially strengthen the IRGC’s political position. Former State Department intelligence analyst Joshua Yaphe indicated that escalated conflict might result in a ‘soft coup’ scenario where the Revolutionary Guard assumes greater governmental control.
The United States previously designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019, enabling financial sanctions against the group and its international affiliates. While Iran responded with symbolic designations against U.S. military figures, American sanctions maintain greater global impact due to the dollar’s dominance in international finance.