Rome (Washington Insider Magazine) January 26, 2026 - Italy has proposed designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation at the European Union level following a policy shift announced by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. The initiative faces opposition from France and Spain with a decision scheduled for January 29 amid documented IRGC plots across Europe.
Tajani cited the group's involvement in attacks on European soil and support for Middle East proxies as justification during a parliamentary hearing.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani informed Italy's lower house foreign affairs committee of the proposal on January 25 urging EU unity against IRGC activities. The move marks Italy's transition from previous resistance to active sponsorship seeking qualified majority approval in the Council of the European Union. Sources indicate France remains opposed while Spain may follow if Paris shifts position before the January 29 deadline.
laurence norman reported diplomatic developments. laurence norman said in X post,
"That's a move: Italy is now backing putting IRGC on the EU terror list per @Antonio_Tajani. That leaves France and Spain standing in the way. Sources think that if France moves, Spain will likely do so too. But France I'm told, as of now, is not moving. Decision day. Jan 29."
That's a move: Italy is now backing putting IRGC on the EU terror list per @Antonio_Tajani.
— laurence norman (@laurnorman) January 26, 2026
That leaves France and Spain standing in the way.
Sources think that if France moves, Spain will likely do so too.
But France I'm told, as of now, is not moving.
Decision day. Jan 29. https://t.co/2dXrQ9RSys
Tajani parliamentary testimony irgc threat assessment presentation
Antonio Tajani detailed IRGC Quds Force operations during the January 25 committee session referencing intelligence on plots in Cyprus Greece and Sweden targeting Israeli interests. Tajani highlighted IRGC drone transfers to Russia for Ukraine conflict use alongside Houthi Red Sea shipping attacks coordination.
Tajani called for asset freezes travel bans and operational coordination against IRGC networks operating through Italian ports and European financial centres. Committee members from ruling parties and opposition endorsed the proposal with recorded unanimous support in session minutes.
The foreign minister linked IRGC actions to broader Tehran regime export of revolution threatening Mediterranean stability and NATO southern flank security.
European terrorist plots attributed irgc operatives chronology
Swedish SAPO disrupted an IRGC-directed assassination attempt against an Israeli-linked journalist in Stockholm in late 2023 with arrests following surveillance operations. Cyprus police detained Iranian nationals in February 2024 near the Nicosia Israeli embassy conducting reconnaissance documented in court filings.
Austrian authorities arrested Salman Radfar in June 2024 for planning an attack on a Vienna Jewish event with IRGC handlers identified through communications intercepts. French DGSI foiled multiple plots against Paris Jewish sites in 2023 and 2024 with operational details shared via EU intelligence fusion cells.
Belgium raided IRGC money laundering cells in Antwerp's diamond district in 2024 uncovering funds for Hezbollah procurement networks.
Jason Brodsky noted Italy's policy change. Jason Brodsky said in X post,
"This is very noteworthy. #Italy reportedly had been resistant to the EU designating #Iran's regime's #IRGCterrorists as a terrorist organization. Now it is submitting a proposal to list them."
This is very noteworthy. #Italy reportedly had been resistant to the EU designating #Iran's regime's #IRGCterrorists as a terrorist organization. Now it is submitting a proposal to list them. ⬇️ https://t.co/3gwMltF0KO
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) January 26, 2026
National irgc designations across european union countries
Belgium's parliament called for designation in November 2024 while the UK proscribed the IRGC under terrorism legislation in April 202Austria's interior ministry listed the IRGC as a terrorist entity in June 2024 following the Vienna plot conviction with asset freezes implemented immediately. France issued a national decree in June 2023 blacklisting IRGC leadership after thwarted Paris operations.
Germany's Bundestag passed a non-binding resolution in October 2024 urging executive terrorist designation based on BfV assessments of IRGC activities. The Netherlands designated the IRGC in September 2023 after convicting operatives in the Salman Ahmadi assassination case.
EU council decision process qualified majority requirements
The EU Council requires 15 member states representing 65 percent of population for terrorist list additions under common foreign and security policy rules. Italy circulated a formal non-paper last week outlining evidentiary dossiers from member state services for legal service review.
COREPER ambassadors will review the proposal ahead of foreign ministers' January 29 meeting with High Representative Kaja Kallas expected to issue conclusions. Sanctions would include financial freezes arms embargoes and law enforcement information exchanges upon approval.
Delisting procedures allow annual reviews with evidence thresholds for maintenance or removal decisions.
IRGC quds force european operational networks documented
IRGC Quds Force Europe branch utilises dual-use businesses in Germany Italy and Sweden for covert financing and logistics according to Europol reports. Recruitment draws from Shia diaspora communities with training conducted in Iran or Lebanon bases.
Financial channels employ cryptocurrency hawala systems and trade-based laundering through Turkish and UAE hubs. Weapons procurement routes traverse Adriatic ports supplying militias via North Africa transhipments.
Europol's SOCTA 2025 identifies IRGC as hybrid threat actor blending terrorism organised crime and state-sponsored espionage.
US european coordination irgc pressure campaign alignment
The US designated the IRGC a foreign terrorist organisation in 2019 with Trump administration sanctions renewed in 2025 targeting procurement networks. Treasury's OFAC blacklisted IRGC engineering firms in October 2025 for missile component supplies.
State Department counterterrorism bureau coordinates with EU on intelligence sharing via dedicated channels. Joint task forces monitor IRGC cryptocurrency wallets and shipping anomalies in the Mediterranean.
NATO's Joint Intelligence and Security Division briefs allies on IRGC threats to critical infrastructure.
Iranian regime responses diplomatic protests escalation warnings
Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Italy's Tehran ambassador on January 26 delivering a protest note against interference claims. IRGC spokesman Ramazan Sharif threatened retaliation against European interests through asymmetric means.
Tehran state media framed the proposal as submission to Zionist pressure with diplomatic downgrading threats issued publicly. Ambassadorial expulsions remain conditional on EU decision outcomes.
Regional proxy support irgc funding mechanisms exposed
IRGC allocates $700 million annually to Hezbollah per US intelligence estimates with transfers via Iraqi banks. Hamas receives $100 million yearly through IRGC channels documented in captured ledgers from Gaza operations.
Houthi forces deploy IRGC-supplied UAVs in Red Sea attacks with technical advisors embedded per CENTCOM assessments. Kataib Hezbollah Iraq operations receive IRGC weaponry via Syria corridors.
French opposition rationale security policy considerations
France maintains national IRGC blacklist while resisting EU-wide designation citing diplomatic leverage preservation with Tehran. Quai d'Orsay officials cite nuclear talks utility and commercial interests in Iran market access.
Paris coordinates with Spain emphasising case-by-case sanctions over blanket terrorist labelling proportionality concerns. Bilateral intelligence continues targeting specific IRGC operatives despite EU hesitancy. Spain echoes France's reservations prioritising Mediterranean migration cooperation with Iran over confrontational designations. Madrid foreign ministry demarches focus on specific IRGC maritime smuggling networks rather than comprehensive listings.
Potential Spanish shift hinges on French movement per diplomatic sources with January 29 serving as pivot point.
Italian domestic consensus cross-party parliamentary support
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet approved the proposal January 24 with Senate Foreign Affairs Committee passing a supportive resolution. Democratic Party foreign policy spokesman endorsed IRGC terrorist status citing human rights abuses.
Fratelli d'Italia Lega and Forza Italia deputies tabled motions reinforcing Tajani's initiative with chamber votes scheduled.
Upcoming eu foreign affairs council january 29 agenda
Foreign ministers will receive Italian briefing with evidentiary packages distributed to delegations. Legal service opinions on terrorist criteria compliance expected alongside procedural timelines for implementation.
Kallas statement anticipated framing IRGC threats within broader Iran policy context including JCPOA snapback discussions.
EUROPI operations irgc financial disruption efforts
Europol's Focal Point Transnational Organised Crime Groups coordinates IRGC network takedowns with 2025 operations yielding 15 arrests. Joint investigation teams with Italy Belgium and Germany target procurement rings.
Financial intelligence units trace IRGC funds through virtual asset service providers with seizure warrants executed. Allied Maritime Command monitors IRGC vessel transits with Italian frigates participating in Operation Prosperity Guardian. Exercise Dynamic Guard 2026 incorporates IRGC asymmetric scenarios drone defence protocols.
Intelligence Fusion Centre Naples collates IRGC maritime domain awareness products for fleet commanders.