In a move welcomed by the United States, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña announced that his government has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This decision builds on Paraguay’s 2019 classification of the armed wings of Hezbollah and Hamas, extending the designation to encompass these groups in their entirety.
According to President Peña, the decision was made due to the IRGC’s “systematic violations of international peace, human rights, and global security.”
U.S. Applauds Paraguay’s Stand Against Iranian-Backed Terrorism
The U.S. State Department issued a statement on April 24, 2025, commending Paraguay’s bold stance. Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated:
“The United States welcomes President Santiago Peña’s designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, and the expansion of Paraguay’s terrorist designations to include all of Hezbollah and Hamas.”
The statement highlighted Iran’s continued role as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, citing the IRGC-Qods Force and proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas as central to Iran’s global terror operations.
“The important steps Paraguay has taken will help cut off the ability of the Iranian regime and its proxies to plot terrorist attacks and raise money for its malignant and destabilizing activity, including in the Tri-Border Area Paraguay shares with Argentina and Brazil,” the statement added.
The United States reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to counter global security threats and urged other nations to hold the Iranian regime accountable.
Global Momentum to Designate the IRGC as a Terrorist Entity
Paraguay joins a growing list of countries taking action against the IRGC:
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Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were the first to label not only the Quds Force but the entire IRGC as a terrorist organization, citing its support for terrorist groups, particularly in Yemen.
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The United States formally designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization on April 15, 2019, during President Donald Trump’s administration. This marked the first time the U.S. designated a part of a foreign government as a terrorist entity.
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Canada followed suit on June 19, 2024, declaring there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that the IRGC was involved in terrorist activities.
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Sweden’s Parliament passed a resolution on June 7, 2023, urging the Swedish government to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
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The European Parliament, in a near-unanimous vote on January 18, 2023, called for the IRGC to be added to the EU’s terrorist list. However, implementation awaits a judicial ruling from an EU member state, a necessary legal step under EU regulations.
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The United Kingdom has also considered the designation, though concerns about diplomatic fallout have reportedly delayed official action.
Growing International Pressure on Iran
The mounting international pressure reflects growing concern over Iran’s destabilizing role in the Middle East and beyond. Through its extensive network of proxies and direct actions by the IRGC, Iran has been implicated in numerous terrorist activities and conflicts, with wide-reaching consequences for regional and global security.
As countries like Paraguay take clear stances, the international community faces increasing urgency to adopt coordinated measures to curb the influence of state-sponsored terrorism.
