Iran has designated Argentina’s navy and air force as “terrorist organizations” in retaliation for Buenos Aires’ decision to classify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Wednesday, saying it was based on the principle of reciprocity and legislation adopted by Tehran in 2019 following the United States’ designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
In a statement carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the ministry accused Argentina of taking a “hostile” action by targeting the IRGC, describing the move as a violation of fundamental principles of international law.
The ministry emphasized that the IRGC is an official component of Iran’s armed forces and argued that Argentina’s decision to designate it as a terrorist organization was politically motivated and inconsistent with international legal principles.
According to Tehran, legislation passed in 2019 authorizes reciprocal measures against countries that comply with, support or implement Washington’s designation of the IRGC. The law was introduced after the United States formally designated the Iranian military organization as a foreign terrorist organization.
“Accordingly, the Argentine Navy and Air Force are subject to the provisions of this law and have been declared terrorist organizations,” the ministry said in its statement.
Iran also warned that the Argentine government would be responsible for any consequences resulting from its decision, although it did not specify what measures Tehran might take or whether the designation would lead to further diplomatic or security-related actions.
The announcement represents another escalation in Iran’s diplomatic confrontation with Western-aligned governments over the international designation of the IRGC.
Argentina announced its decision to classify the IRGC as a terrorist organization on March 31, citing the group’s alleged involvement in two major terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires during the 1990s.
The attacks targeted the Israeli Embassy in 1992 and the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish community center in 1994. Both bombings killed dozens of people and remain among the deadliest terrorist attacks in Argentina’s history.
Argentine authorities have repeatedly investigated alleged Iranian connections to the attacks and accused Iranian officials and individuals associated with the IRGC of involvement. Tehran has consistently rejected the allegations and denied responsibility for the bombings.
Argentina’s designation was part of a broader effort by Buenos Aires to strengthen its counterterrorism measures and address longstanding investigations into the attacks. The decision also placed the IRGC under additional restrictions and legal measures within Argentina’s jurisdiction.
Iran’s latest response indicates that Tehran intends to use its domestic legislation to challenge countries that follow Washington’s approach toward the IRGC.
The move against Argentina also follows a similar retaliatory decision involving the United Kingdom earlier this month.
On November 1, Iran designated Britain’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations in response to measures taken by London against the IRGC. Tehran also classified Britain’s foreign intelligence service, MI6, as a “hostile group.”
The Iranian government said the British measures justified reciprocal action under its 2019 legislation, extending its response beyond diplomatic protests to include formal designations of foreign military institutions.
The latest decisions highlight the widening diplomatic dispute surrounding the IRGC, an influential component of Iran’s military establishment that plays a significant role in the country’s regional security and foreign policy.
The IRGC has been at the center of international sanctions and counterterrorism measures, particularly those imposed by the United States and several Western governments. Washington designated the organization as a foreign terrorist organization in April 2019, marking the first time the United States had applied that designation to another country’s military institution.
Iran has consistently opposed such classifications, arguing that the IRGC is a legitimate national military institution and that designating it as a terrorist organization violates international law.
While Tehran’s announcements against Argentina and Britain are unlikely, by themselves, to change the operational status of the two countries’ armed forces, they underscore the increasingly confrontational nature of Iran’s diplomatic relations with governments supporting restrictions against the IRGC.
