Iran designated Argentina's navy and air force as terrorist organizations on November 11, 2026, in a reciprocal move following Buenos Aires' blacklisting of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Argentina's foreign ministry categorically rejected Tehran's measure. The diplomatic rift follows President Javier Milei's alignment with U.S. pressure against Iran and historical tensions over the 1994 Hezbollah bombing of the AMIA center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people.
Iran-Argentina terrorist designations
- ▪Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on November 11, 2026, that full responsibility for all consequences arising from its military designations will lie with the Argentine government
- ▪Iran's Foreign Ministry statement on November 11, 2026, designating Argentine military branches made no mention of Argentina's army
- ▪Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs designated Argentina's navy and air force as terrorist organizations
US pressure on IRGC designation
- ▪Argentina designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in 2026 following a push by United States President Donald Trump's administration
- ▪Argentine President Javier Milei aligned his government with the United States and Israel following the February 2026 military action against Iran
- ▪The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, 2026, calling on international allies to support their military offensive
Argentina's diplomatic rejection
- ▪The office of President Javier Milei stated on March 31, 2026, that designating the IRGC intended to settle a historical debt with victims of the 1994 AMIA bombing
- ▪Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on November 11, 2026, categorically rejecting Iran's terrorist designation
AMIA bombing historical backdrop
- ▪Argentina blames the Iran-backed group Hezbollah for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds
- ▪Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acts as an elite military force protecting Shi'ite clerical rule in Iran while controlling significant parts of the Iranian economy
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