The government of Iran announced on Wednesday that it has designated the air and naval forces of Argentina as “terrorist organisations.” According to Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision was implemented based on the “principle of reciprocity.” This move serves as a direct response to the Argentine government’s decision in March to label Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity.
Tehran’s official statement warned that the Argentine government will be held responsible for all consequences arising from this designation. The announcement did not include the Argentinian army in the classification. In a prompt rebuttal, Argentina’s foreign ministry stated that it “categorically rejects” the move, describing the Iranian measure as “completely baseless” and an “unacceptable accusation.”
Diplomatic tensions between the two nations have been long-standing, largely stemming from the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires. The attack killed 85 people and injured hundreds more; Argentina has consistently blamed the Iran-backed group Hezbollah for the incident. When President Javier Milei designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation on March 31, his office described the act as an attempt to “settle a historical debt of more than 30 years with the families of the victims.”
President Milei has actively sought to align Argentina with the United States and Israel, positioning his administration to combat entities he views as threats to Western civilisation. This strategy mirrors a broader push by the United States to isolate Iran internationally. The current diplomatic friction occurs against the backdrop of a larger regional conflict, as the United States and Israel have been engaged in a war against Iran since February 28.
Key facts
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced the designation of the Argentinian air force and navy as terrorist organisations on Wednesday.
- The move is a retaliatory action following Argentina’s March designation of Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist group.
- Argentina’s foreign ministry has rejected the designation, calling the accusation baseless.
- The 1994 AMIA Jewish community centre bombing in Buenos Aires remains a central point of contention in bilateral relations.
- The IRGC designation by Argentina was part of a wider effort aligned with United States policy to isolate Iran.
Why it matters
The escalation reflects a hardening of diplomatic ties between Buenos Aires and Tehran, as President Milei continues to pivot Argentina’s foreign policy toward closer cooperation with the United States and Israel. The move signals a deepening rift that further distances Argentina from Iran during an ongoing war between Iran and the U.S.-Israel coalition.
Background
Relations between the two countries have been severely strained for decades, primarily due to Argentina’s investigation into the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, which resulted in 85 deaths.
Source: Al Jazeera, Hindustan Times
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