Iran retaliates by labeling Argentina's military forces terrorist groups

Iran's government on Tuesday announced it was adding Argentina's naval and air force branches to its official list of terrorist organisations, marking an unprecedented diplomatic friction between the South American nation and the Islamic Republic.

The designation represents a direct retaliation to Argentina's government under President Javier Milei, which earlier in the year formally classified Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, known as the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation. The IRGC serves as Iran's elite military unit and is considered central to Tehran's security apparatus and regional operations.

The exchange of designations underscores deepening political divisions between Buenos Aires and Tehran. Argentina's conservative administration under Milei has adopted more assertive positions toward Iran, aligning with positions traditionally held by Western nations that view the IRGC as a destabilising force in the Middle East.

Iran's counter-designation, while symbolically significant, carries limited practical implications given the minimal military and economic ties between the two nations. However, the action signals Tehran's willingness to employ diplomatic tools to respond to what it views as hostile classification by other governments.

The tit-for-tat escalation reflects broader geopolitical tensions, with Argentina positioning itself more closely with Western allies critical of Iranian regional activities, particularly regarding nuclear programme concerns and support for armed groups.