Iran declares Argentine Navy, Air Force 'terrorist organisations'
text_fields
Tehran: Iran has designated Argentina's Navy and Air Force as terrorist organisations, escalating tensions between the two countries following Buenos Aires' decision earlier this year to blacklist Tehran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran's Foreign Ministry announced the move on Wednesday, describing it as a reciprocal measure against Argentina's action in March. The ministry accused Buenos Aires of taking a hostile step that violated fundamental principles of international law.
Tehran said its decision was based on domestic legislation providing for countermeasures against countries that support or comply with Washington's designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. It also held the Argentine government responsible for any consequences arising from the move, stressing that the IRGC is part of Iran's armed forces, Xinhua news agency reported.
Argentina announced the designation of the IRGC on March 31, following pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump to blacklist the Iranian force and Hezbollah.
Buenos Aires justified its decision by citing the IRGC's alleged support for Hezbollah, which Argentina holds responsible for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires. The attack killed 85 people and injured more than 300.
Earlier this month, Iran also designated Britain's Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Secret Intelligence Service as terrorist and hostile entities over London's actions against Tehran.
With IANS inputs