Iran designates Argentine Navy and Air Force as terrorist organizations

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement that it has designated the Argentine Navy and the Argentine Air Force as terrorist organizations. The ministry said the move was a response to Argentina's decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity, describing that step as a hostile act contrary to the fundamental principles of international law.

The statement said the IRGC is an official branch of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It said Iran acted on the principle of reciprocity and under a 2019 law titled "Reciprocal Action Against the Designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a Terrorist Organization by the United States." Under that law, according to the ministry, any country that in any way complies with or supports the United States' decision to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization is subject to reciprocal measures.

On that basis, the ministry said, Iran considers the Argentine Navy and the Argentine Air Force subject to the law and its provisions and designates them as terrorist organizations. The statement added that the responsibility for all consequences resulting from the issue is borne by the government of Argentina.

The announcement did not specify what practical measures the designation would entail. It also did not give details on the timing of Argentina's original designation of the IRGC or on any prior diplomatic exchanges between the two countries.

The statement frames the decision as a direct application of the 2019 reciprocity legislation, which was adopted in response to the United States' listing of the IRGC. According to Mehr News, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Argentina bears responsibility for all consequences of the matter.