The force was in the spotlight on Thursday as the European Union moved to declare it a terrorist organization over its part in the bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran earlier this month.

The EU’s foreign policy chief said that “any regime that kills thousands of its own people is working toward its own demise.”

France had previously been seen as hesitant to add the IRGC to the EU's terror list over fears this could put an end to all diplomatic ties with Iran. But it changed course on Wednesday, coming out strongly behind a push to blacklist the group,

The EU decision came after France said late on Wednesday that it supported the move. “Repression cannot go unanswered. EU foreign ministers just took the decisive step of designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation,

The European Union sanctioned 15 Iranian officials Thursday over the country's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, including top commanders of its Revolutionary Guard, ahead of an expected decision to name the entire paramilitary organization as a terrorist group.

Iran threatened Thursday to unleash “hazardous consequences” after the European Union formally designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Western powers.

The listing came after the 27-nation bloc sanctioned 15 Iranian officials, including top commanders in its Revolutionary Guard, over the violent crackdown on protesters.

Iran threatened Thursday to instantly strike US bases and aircraft carriers in response to any attack, after US President Donald Trump warned time was running out for Tehran and the