Iran Declares Argentina’s Navy and Air Force Terrorist Organisations in Retaliatory Move

Iran has designated Argentina’s Navy and Air Force as “terrorist organisations”, escalating diplomatic tensions between Tehran and Buenos Aires following Argentina’s decision to classify Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Wednesday, November 11, describing it as a reciprocal measure against what it called a hostile action by the Argentine government.

In its statement, the Iranian government said the designation was made under the principle of reciprocity and in accordance with a 2019 Iranian law introduced in response to the United States’ designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.

The law provides for retaliatory measures against countries that support or comply with Washington’s decision concerning the Iranian military force. Tehran argued that Argentina’s action against the IRGC justified its decision to place the country’s Navy and Air Force under the same classification.

Iran also warned that the Argentine government would bear responsibility for any consequences arising from the move. However, the ministry did not explain what specific actions or penalties might follow.

Argentina had designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation in April 2026. The government of President Javier Milei linked its decision to Iran’s alleged support for Hezbollah, which Argentina holds responsible for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires. The attack killed 85 people and remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Argentina’s history.

Iran has denied involvement in the attacks.

Argentina’s Foreign Ministry has rejected Tehran’s latest designation, describing it as unacceptable. The Iranian announcement specifically names the Argentine Navy and Air Force; it does not include the country’s Army.

The development adds to a series of diplomatic confrontations involving Iran and countries that have taken action against the IRGC. Earlier in November, Tehran also designated Britain’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations following the United Kingdom’s measures against the Iranian force.

For now, Iran has not announced specific sanctions or operational measures against Argentina. The designation nevertheless signals a further deterioration in relations between the two governments, with both sides standing by their respective decisions.