Tehran has formally classified Argentina's naval and air arms as "terrorist organizations," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Nov 11, describing the step as a direct reciprocal response to a measure Buenos Aires took earlier this year.
The announcement follows Argentina's April designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, as a terrorist organization. Argentina stated at the time that its decision was linked to the IRGC's backing for Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which Buenos Aires holds responsible for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and wounded hundreds.
In its brief statement on Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said it regarded the Argentine air force and navy as terrorist organizations "based on the principle of reciprocity." The ministry added, "It is evident that the responsibility for all consequences arising from this matter will lie with the Argentine government." The statement offered no further elaboration, and specifically made no reference to Argentina's army.
The IRGC is described in the statement as an elite military force that defends Shi'ite clerical rule in Iran and exerts control over large segments of the country's economy. Argentina's April move to designate the IRGC followed appeals from the administration of former US President Donald Trump for allied countries to take similar action.
The Iranian statement did not detail what form the reciprocal designation would take in practice, nor did it enumerate any immediate operational measures tied to labeling the Argentine naval and air services as terrorist organizations. It limited itself to invoking reciprocity and cautioning that Argentina would be held responsible for the ensuing consequences.
Observers and officials have not provided additional commentary within the scope of this announcement, and the Iranian declaration left open questions about the practical implications of such a designation - including whether and how it might affect diplomatic, military or logistical interactions between the two countries.
Summary of facts
- On Nov 11, Iran's Foreign Ministry designated Argentina's navy and air force as terrorist organizations, citing reciprocity.
- Argentina had designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in April, citing the IRGC's support for Hezbollah and its alleged role in the 1994 AMIA bombing.
- Iran warned that Argentina would be responsible for any consequences, and made no mention of Argentina's army.