Argentina rejected Iran’s designation of the Argentine Navy and Air Force as terrorist organizations, calling the move baseless and inadmissible. (Foto: Instagram)
Argentina’s government on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, rejected Iran’s decision to designate the Argentine Navy and Air Force as terrorist organizations. In an official statement, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry called the move inadmissible, saying the two institutions are established under the country’s constitution and serve to defend its sovereignty. The ministry said Iran’s accusation had no basis and was directed at legitimate institutions that operate under constitutional authority.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced the designation as a response to Argentina’s decision in April to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization. Tehran said it was acting on the principle of reciprocity and warned that Argentina would be responsible for all consequences of its decision, without specifying what those consequences might be. Iran’s designation did not mention the Argentine Army.
Argentina’s Foreign Ministry also stressed that the country’s armed forces carry out their duties in accordance with domestic law, international law and treaties Argentina has signed. The statement placed the dispute in the context of two attacks in Buenos Aires: the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy and the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA). Argentina’s courts have attributed responsibility for both attacks to Iran. The AMIA bombing killed 85 people and injured hundreds; it is considered the deadliest attack in Argentina’s history. The embassy bombing killed 29 people.
The Argentine government says Tehran has not cooperated with judicial investigations, has not complied with international arrest warrants issued for suspects, and continues to have people wanted by Argentine courts in senior positions. In response to Iran’s latest move, Buenos Aires renewed its demand that Iran cooperate with Argentine judicial authorities and make the suspects available to the courts. Argentina’s Foreign Ministry also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to remembering the victims and pursuing justice, and expressed solidarity with their relatives and Argentina’s Jewish community.
Argentina’s April designation targeted the IRGC, an elite military force responsible for protecting Iran’s government and wielding significant influence in the country’s political and economic structures. At the time, Buenos Aires cited alleged support by the group for Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based organization that Argentina holds responsible for the 1994 AMIA bombing. Argentina’s decision came amid pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump for allied countries to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization as well.
