Argentina has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation and expelled the country’s top diplomat in Buenos Aires, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between both nations.
The Argentine government declared Iran’s Chargé d’Affaires, Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Officials said the decision follows the formal classification of the IRGC as a terrorist entity, a move that places the group on Argentina’s national registry of persons and organisations linked to terrorism and its financing. The designation enables authorities to impose financial sanctions and restrict activities connected to the group within the country.
The move is rooted in Argentina’s long-running investigations into two of the deadliest attacks on its soil — the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires and the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish community centre, which together killed more than 100 people and injured hundreds.
Argentine prosecutors have for years alleged that the attacks were carried out by Hezbollah with backing from Iran, particularly the IRGC and its external operations arm. Tehran has consistently denied any involvement.
President Javier Milei’s administration has intensified its stance on Iran in recent months. Earlier this year, Argentina also designated the IRGC’s Quds Force as a terrorist organisation, reinforcing its broader crackdown on groups linked to Iran.
The expulsion of Iran’s envoy significantly downgrades diplomatic relations between the two countries and underscores Buenos Aires’ alignment with Israel and the United States on Iran-related security issues. Milei has repeatedly described Iran as an “enemy” of Argentina, citing the unresolved bombings.
Iran has yet to issue an official response to the latest move. However, it previously criticised Argentina’s decision to blacklist the IRGC, calling it a “strategic mistake” influenced by foreign powers and warning it could damage bilateral ties.
The Iranian embassy in Buenos Aires, led by Soltani Tehrani since December 2021, is expected to operate with reduced capacity following his departure.
The development comes amid heightened global tensions involving Iran, as countries reassess diplomatic and security positions in response to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
