Iran has designated Argentina’s Navy and Air Force as terrorist organisations, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Wednesday, saying it was a retaliatory measure against Argentina’s earlier designation of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
The ministry described Buenos Aires’ action as hostile and contrary to fundamental principles of international law, adding that Tehran’s response was based on the principle of reciprocity and an Iranian law providing for countermeasures against countries supporting Washington’s actions against Iran.
It warned that the Argentine government would be held responsible for any consequences arising from the decision, insisting that the IRGC was an integral component of Iran’s armed forces.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei’s office had announced on March 31 that the country had classified the IRGC as a terrorist organisation following calls from the administration of United States President Donald Trump.
The Argentine government based its decision on the Iranian military body’s alleged support for Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group blamed by Buenos Aires for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Argentina’s capital, which killed 85 people and injured more than 300 others.
In a related development, Iran earlier this month designated Britain’s Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Secret Intelligence Service as terrorist and hostile entities in response to what it described as anti-Iran actions by the British government.
(Xinhua/NAN)