Tehran Condemns Paraguay’s Classification of IRGC as Illegal and Aligned with ‘israeli’ Interests

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Paraguay’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, calling the move unlawful. The ministry stated that this action is in line with Israel’s anti-Iran agenda and serves to distract from what it describes as the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Issa Kameli, who oversees the Americas department at the Foreign Ministry, condemned Paraguay’s action as “illegal, unjustifiable, and in breach of international legal rules and standards.”

On Thursday, Paraguay officially labeled the Iranian elite force as a “terrorist” organization. In addition, the country broadened its earlier blacklisting of Hamas and Hezbollah from Palestine and Lebanon, respectively, to include the military and political branches of these groups.

Kameli conveyed dissatisfaction with Paraguay’s support of policies aligned with the Israeli regime’s stance against Iran, labeling the regime as occupying and genocidal. Kameli underlined Paraguay’s global responsibility for its unlawful actions targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

An official from the Iranian Foreign Ministry has criticized recent political actions taken by the Paraguayan government, labeling them as setting a “dangerous precedent.” According to the official, these actions are orchestrated under the influence of the Zionist regime with the aim of diverting public attention away from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The official further claimed that such moves implicate Paraguayan policymakers in the alleged crimes currently under review by the International Criminal Court.

Kameli highlighted the esteemed and influential status of the IRGC within Iran’s official military framework, emphasizing its exceptional contribution to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and combating terrorism, particularly against Daesh.

He reiterated the Iranian regime’s resolute dedication to implementing all necessary actions to protect the honor and reputation of the country’s military in response to any “hostile labeling.”

In a statement announcing the designations, President Santiago Peña of Paraguay emphasized that this decision underscores Asuncion’s dedication to the “global fight against terrorism” and reinforces its strategic alliances with the United States and Israel.

Pena has made allegations against the IRGC, claiming their “systemic involvement in human rights violations and participation in terrorist activities,” though he did not present any supporting evidence for these claims. Meanwhile, the IRGC chief commander has declared that while Iran is not seeking military confrontation, it is well-versed in warfare and will respond decisively to any threats.

In a significant development, the Latin American nation that designated Hamas and Hezbollah as terror organizations in 2019 has now broadened the classification to encompass both their military and political wings as of Thursday.

The U.S. State Department and the Israeli government have commended Paraguay for its measures against Iran. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has called on other nations to take similar actions.

Paraguay’s diplomatic relations with the contested administration have strengthened under Peña’s leadership, as evidenced by the reopening of the country’s embassy in the occupied al-Quds in 2024, an action that reversed the previous closure enforced by his predecessor.

The reopening has positioned Paraguay as the sixth country to establish an embassy in the contested city of al-Quds, alongside the United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea.

In the previous year, the Islamic Republic showcased its military prowess through Operation True Promise I and II. These operations involved numerous retaliatory strikes by the Iranian Armed Forces targeting the occupied territories.

The operations showcased Iran’s ability to strike Israeli military and intelligence targets with precision, impressing both the regime’s military analysts and international allies.

Iranian authorities have emphasized that the nation utilized only a small portion of its military capabilities in the recent twin retaliatory actions.