Iran designates Argentine military branches as terrorist organizations

On November 11, 2026, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially designated the Argentine Navy and Air Force as terrorist organizations. Tehran stated that this decision was taken based on the principle of reciprocity following a similar move by Buenos Aires earlier in the year. The Iranian ministry warned that the Argentine government would be held responsible for all consequences arising from this designation.

This development follows an ongoing diplomatic and legal escalation between the two nations. In April 2026, Argentina designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity, citing its support for the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Argentina continues to hold Iran and Hezbollah responsible for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. Since President Javier Milei took office in December 2023, Argentina has significantly aligned its foreign policy with the United States and Israel, supporting their military stances against Iran.

Following Iran's announcement, the Argentine Foreign Ministry issued a statement categorically rejecting the designation. While Tehran mentioned the air force and navy specifically, it made no reference to the Argentine Army in its official statement. No further actions or court proceedings have been announced, though the move signals a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations.