The U.S. State Department recently praised Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña for a significant move against terrorism. Paraguay officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This decision is seen as a major step in the global fight against terrorism, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced the designation, calling it a crucial blow to Iran’s terror network. She emphasized that Iran is a leading state sponsor of terrorism and has been involved in many attacks worldwide through its IRGC-Qods Force and groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
In addition to labeling the IRGC as a terrorist organization, Paraguay expanded its previous designations of Hezbollah and Hamas to include the entirety of both groups. This action aligns with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to counter Iranian influence and extremism.
The Tri-Border Area, where Paraguay meets Argentina and Brazil, is particularly important. This region has long been viewed as a hub for Hezbollah-linked activities. The U.S. believes Paraguay’s actions will help limit Iran’s ability to fund terrorism and operate in Latin America.
Bruce added that these steps will hinder the Iranian regime and its proxies from planning attacks and raising money for destabilizing activities. The Trump administration intends to continue working with Paraguay and other allies to confront global security threats posed by Iran.
The U.S. does not currently have a permanent ambassador to Paraguay. Amir Masliyah serves as the Chargé D’Affaires in the country. This development follows a broader pattern of U.S. foreign policy under Trump, which has focused on addressing Iran’s actions since the U.S. withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018.
As the situation evolves, the U.S. is calling on other nations to join in holding Iran accountable and preventing its operatives from operating freely. This recent designation by Paraguay is a significant step in that ongoing effort.