In a statement shared on social media on Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot appeared to link the planned designation to the Iranian authorities’ recent crackdown on antigovernment protests across the country. France and Spain have signalled their support to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, injecting fresh impetus into a symbolic step that the European Union has long been loath to take.The idea of blacklisting the IRGC came back to the table after the violent crackdown on Iranian protesters. But France and Spain, two large member states, voiced hesitation, casting serious doubts on whether the necessary unanimity could be reached.The tide turned on Wednesday, one day before foreign affairs ministers are set to meet in Brussels to discuss the hot-button issue.
“France supports the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the European list of terrorist organisations,” said the Elysée.
