Iran designates Argentina’s Navy and Air Force

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it had designated Argentina’s Navy and Air Force as terrorist organisations, describing the move as a reciprocal response to Argentina’s designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The ministry cited a 2019 Iranian law but did not specify what practical consequences the designations would have.

The announcement followed Argentina’s decision in late March to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. The report said President Javier Milei’s government cited the group’s support for Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. Iran’s Foreign Ministry described Argentina’s action as hostile and said the Argentine government would be responsible for consequences arising from it, without detailing what those might be.

In its statement, the ministry said the Argentine Navy and Air Force were subject to the 2019 law, which it said provides for retaliation when a state designates Iran’s armed forces as terrorist organisations. Tehran argued that the IRGC is an integral part of Iran’s armed forces. The reported designation is Iran’s stated response under that law; the account does not describe any subsequent implementation or...