Iran denounces Paraguay’s IRGC blacklist as illegal and political
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Tehran slams Paraguay’s IRGC blacklist as illegal and politically motivated, accusing Asuncion of enabling "Israel's" Gaza genocide cover-up amid growing bilateral ties.
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The President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, shake hands in occupied al-Quds on December 12, 2024. (AP)
Tehran has strongly condemned Paraguay’s decision to add the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) to its list of 'terrorist organizations', calling the move illegal and aligned with Israeli influence in Latin America.
Paraguay's IRGC blacklist follows an expansion of Asuncion’s prior designations, which already included Hamas and Hezbollah.
Issa Kameli, director general for the Americas at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated the action was “unjustifiable and in violation of international legal norms,” and accused Paraguay of siding with the "occupying and genocidal Israeli regime."
Kameli described Paraguay’s move as a calculated extension of Israeli efforts to deflect international scrutiny from the ongoing genocide in Gaza, framing the blacklisting as a diversionary tactic aimed at undermining Iran while shielding "Israel" from accountability.
“This dangerous precedent, orchestrated at the behest of the Zionist regime, implicates Paraguayan policymakers as complicit in crimes under prosecution by the International Criminal Court,” he warned.
He also underscored the IRGC’s role in defending Iran’s sovereignty and combating terrorism, notably ISIS, stressing that Iran would take “all essential measures” to defend its armed forces against such labels.
Paraguay expands terrorist list to include Hamas, Hezbollah arms
Paraguayan President Santiago Pena announced the 'IRGC terrorist designation' on Thursday while reaffirming his government’s commitment to the “global fight against terrorism.” Pena also expanded Paraguay’s blacklisting of Hamas and Hezbollah to cover both the military and political wings of these resistance movements.
Pena accused the IRGC of involvement in 'human rights violations and terrorist activities', though no evidence was presented. The US and Israeli administrations welcomed the decision, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar urging more nations to follow Paraguay’s lead.
Kameli reiterated Iran's reaction to Paraguay, defending the IRGC as an official part of Iran’s military with an “honorable position.” He stressed Iran’s resolve to confront any belligerent labeling against its forces and maintain national dignity in the face of external pressure.
This development comes amid rapidly strengthening Paraguay-"Israel" relations under Pena’s leadership. In 2024, Paraguay took a significant political step by reopening its embassy in occupied al-Quds, aligning itself with a select group of nations, namely the US, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea, that have endorsed "Israel’s" contested claims over the city
