A Major Shift: France Reverses Stance on IRGC Terrorism Listing
In a significant and widely watched development, France has announced its support for including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations. This move marks a dramatic U-turn for Paris, which has historically been hesitant to back such a measure.
For years, France, along with several other European nations, has treaded carefully around the idea of designating the IRGC as a terrorist entity. The primary concern fueling this caution was the potential for it to severely rupture diplomatic ties with Iran, impacting ongoing negotiations, regional stability, and even the safety of French citizens and interests in the Middle East.
The IRGC, a powerful military and economic force within Iran, has long been accused by Western nations of engaging in destabilizing activities across the region, supporting proxy groups, and human rights abuses. The United States has already designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. Now, with France joining the chorus for an EU-wide listing, the pressure on the entire bloc to act is intensifying.
This shift from France signals a potential hardening of the EU’s stance towards Tehran, reflecting growing frustration over various issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, its crackdown on protests, and its support for Russia in the war against Ukraine. The implications of an EU terrorism designation for the IRGC would be far-reaching, potentially leading to asset freezes, travel bans, and a further isolation of Iran on the international stage. It remains to be seen how Iran will react to this increasingly unified European front.
Source: Original Article
