Iran designates Argentina's navy and air force as 'terrorist organizations'

On Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry designated Argentina's navy and air force as "terrorist organizations". This move is in response to Buenos Aires' designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity in April. According to Reuters, Argentina had designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization following a push from US President Donald Trump's administration for allies to do so.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Tehran considers the Argentinian air force and navy terrorist organizations "based on the principle of reciprocity". The ministry added that "it is evident that the responsibility for all consequences arising from this matter will lie with the Argentine government". The statement made no mention of Argentina's army.

The designation by Argentina in April was due to the IRGC's backing for Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which Buenos Aires blames for the deadliest bombing in the South American nation's history, a 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish community centre in the Argentinian capital that killed 85 and injured hundreds.

The IRGC is an elite military force that protects Shi'ite Muslim clerical rule in Iran and controls large parts of Iran's economy. The Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other outlets such as Kurdistan24 and Arab News also reported on Iran's designation of Argentina's navy and air force as terrorist organizations.

It is worth noting that while Reuters reported on Iran's designation of Argentina's navy and air force, Kurdistan24 reported on a different development, where Iran’s Foreign Ministry listed Britain’s MI6 as a hostile group and put the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force on its terrorist list. However, the reason behind this discrepancy is not clear from the provided sources.

The Iranian government has stated that it is determined to take all necessary measures to protect the country’s national security and supreme interests. The consequences of this designation are yet to be fully understood, but it is clear that the relationship between Iran and Argentina has become increasingly strained.