France Seeks to Blacklist Iran’s IRGC: Implications and Future Steps

On January 29, 2025, the French Parliament passed a resolution condemning Iran’s IRGC and urging the EU to designate it as a terrorist organization. The IRGC is implicated in severe human rights abuses and supports terrorist groups. This resolution may catalyze EU-wide actions to sanction the IRGC, protect dissidents, and reinforce security. AJC has been instrumental in this advocacy effort called for further responses from the EU.

On January 29, 2025, the French Parliament approved a resolution condemning Iran’s human rights violations and calling for the European Union to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces as terrorist organizations. The resolution highlights Iran’s systemic human rights abuses, which include using the death penalty to suppress dissent, committing state violence against women and children, and imposing harsh restrictions on women’s freedoms and livelihoods.

The IRGC is a powerful military organization in Iran known for its role in protecting the country’s extremist regime. The group is responsible for severe human rights violations, supports Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile programs, and collaborates with terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas. Notably, the IRGC has been implicated in torturing Iranian citizens and was involved in missile strikes against Israeli targets in 2024.

The resolution’s approval is significant as it may motivate the EU to implement similar measures against the IRGC. An EU designation would lead to asset freezes and restrictions on the IRGC’s operations and fundraising efforts throughout Europe, critically undermining its capabilities. The IRGC poses a direct threat to Iranian dissidents and Jewish communities in Europe, further complicating regional security dynamics.

The resolution was sponsored by Constance Le Grip, a member of the French Parliament with ties to the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Le Grip, a participant in AJC’s Project Interchange, is committed to fostering international security cooperation. The AJC played a crucial role in supporting this resolution, emphasizing its importance in combating global terrorism.

Ted Deutch, CEO of AJC, praised the resolution as a vital step towards ensuring the IRGC’s designation as a terrorist group. He stated, “Glad to see the French Parliament vote in favor of placing the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the European terrorist list.” He affirmed AJC’s long-standing advocacy for this designation, highlighting the IRGC’s influence on global terror networks and regional instability.

AJC is now urging the EU and other nations to officially classify the IRGC as a terrorist entity. Their initiative aims to strengthen protections for Jewish communities in Europe and combat Iran’s destabilizing actions in the Middle East. As the situation unfolds, continued pressure on the EU for proactive designations is essential to safeguard both regional and international security.

The French Parliament’s resolution calling for the IRGC’s designation as a terrorist organization marks a pivotal moment in European efforts to counter Iranian aggression. This legislative action not only aligns with U.S. measures but also sets a precedent for broader EU sanctions against entities known for severe human rights abuses. AJC’s advocacy plays a crucial role in pushing for international cooperation in safeguarding human rights and enhancing regional security.

Original Source: www.ajc.org