Iran labels Argentina's navy and air force as terrorist organisations

Iran has announced that it will classify Argentina's naval and air forces as terrorist organisations, in what it describes as a reciprocal response to Argentina's designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group in March.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the move, citing the principle of reciprocity. The statement did not mention Argentina's army. It also warned that the Argentine government would bear responsibility for any consequences resulting from the designation.

Argentina's foreign ministry rejected the move, stating that the accusation was entirely without foundation and unacceptable.

This exchange adds to long-standing tension between the two countries. Argentina has accused the Iran-backed group Hezbollah of carrying out the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, an attack that killed 85 people and injured many others.

Argentine President Javier Milei's office referenced that bombing when it designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation on March 31.