Iran has officially designated Argentina’s navy and air force as terrorist organisations in response to a similar decision by Buenos Aires regarding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this move as a matter of reciprocity and warned the Argentine government of its responsibility for any possible consequences.
- Iran has designated Argentina’s naval and air forces as terrorist organisations.
- The decision was a response to Argentina’s inclusion of the Iranian KVI on its list of terrorist organisations.
- Tehran cited the 2019 law and the principle of reciprocity.
- Iran has warned the Argentine Government that it will be held responsible for any consequences.
Iran has imposed measures against the Argentine armed forces
On 11 November, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Argentine navy and air force are now subject to Iranian legislation on terrorist organisations.
Tehran justified its decision by citing a 2019 law passed after the United States designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. The law provides for retaliatory measures against states that support the US position.
Iranian diplomats have described Buenos Aires’ decision as a hostile move and a breach of the principles of international law.
The Foreign Ministry warned that the Argentine Government would bear responsibility for all the consequences of such a confrontation. At the same time, Tehran did not specify any particular measures against the Argentine armed forces. The Argentine Army was not included in the list.
The conflict was triggered by the terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires
On 31 March 2026, the government of the President of Argentina Javier Milei announced IRGC as a terrorist organisation. The relevant decision was officially published in April.
The Argentine authorities have linked Iranian organisations and the Tehran-backed group «Hezbollah» to two large-scale terrorist attacks in the country’s capital.
In March 1992, an explosion outside the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires claimed the lives of 29 people. In July 1994, an explosion at the AMIA Jewish community centre killed 85 people and injured hundreds.
The Argentine investigation has established that members of the Iranian leadership and organisations linked to it were involved in organising the attacks. Iran denies these allegations.
The diplomatic standoff between the countries is escalating
Argentina’s decision regarding the CCR was taken against a backdrop of calls from the administration Donald Trump to urge its allies to step up political and economic pressure on Tehran.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated after the KVIR was added to Argentina’s list of terrorist organisations. Buenos Aires also declared Iran’s chargé d’affaires Mohsena Soltani He is persona non grata in Tehran.
The latest decision by the Iranian Foreign Ministry marked yet another step in the diplomatic dispute. As of 11 November, no specific sanctions or additional restrictions had been announced against the Argentine military.
