Argentina Orders Expulsion of Iranian Diplomat
The Argentine government has declared Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, Iran’s Chargé d’Affaires, to be an immoral individual, demanding his departure from the country within 48 hours.
According to Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this expulsion stems from “false, offensive and inappropriate” claims made by the Iranian government following President Javier Milei’s designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This decision received praise from the United States.
President Milei, who is a strong ally of the U.S. and Israel, has taken a tough stance against Iran, labeling it an “enemy” of Argentina during a speech in March at Yeshiva University in Manhattan. Argentina has accused both Iran and its ally Hezbollah of orchestrating two terrorist attacks on Jewish institutions in Buenos Aires: the bombing of the Israeli embassy in 1992 and the AMIA bombing in 1994.
Argentina’s declaration of the IRGC as a terrorist organization also emphasized that Ahmad Vahidi, believed to lead the Revolutionary Guards, is wanted by Argentine authorities due to evidence linking Corps leaders to both attacks.
In response to Milei’s classification of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian government issued a statement through its embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay, characterizing the decision as “illegal and unjust,” asserting it as an “unpardonable crime against the Iranian people.” They also claimed that this designation placed “international responsibility on the Argentine state.”
Argentina’s government interpreted the Iranian response as an unacceptable meddling in its affairs, further indicating that such statements misrepresented legal actions taken under both international and domestic law.
This situation escalates against a backdrop of Iran’s ongoing refusal to cooperate with Argentine judicial investigations into the AMIA bombing and its failure to adhere to international arrest warrants for those implicated in the attacks. The Argentine ministry highlighted the seriousness of appointing an individual wanted by the judiciary to a senior position in the IRGC.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised Argentina’s decision to expel Tehrani, commending Argentina’s representative for their courageous choice. He remarked that under President Milei’s leadership, Argentina exemplifies the defense of freedom and the fight against terrorism, calling the Iranian regime a substantial threat both to its own people and to global security.
Just days after Milei’s remarks at Yeshiva University, Iranian state media criticized the Argentine leader for labeling Iran as an enemy, suggesting Argentina is being manipulated by the “Zionist regime” to foster an “Iranophobia project” that has persisted for over three decades.
Following the publication of an article condemning Milei, the Argentine government heightened security protocols across the country. This included offering greater protection to sensitive sites such as the AMIA building, the Jewish community, and the U.S. and Israeli embassies. As of early April, these security alerts remain in effect.
Uruguayan Senator Javier García called on Uruguay’s government to confront Iran’s use of its embassy for threats against Argentina. He emphasized the political implications of such actions, asserting that Argentina has endured enough terrorism linked to Iranian support.
García expressed that there is a collective memory of the devastating impacts of attacks like the AMIA bombing and the Israeli embassy attack, as well as the established connections between Iran and Hezbollah. He stressed the importance of recognizing the geopolitical ramifications of these threats to Argentina.
Tehrani had been serving in Argentina since 2021, having presented his diplomatic credentials during the administration of former President Alberto Fernández. Reports indicate that Argentina’s special envoy to Tehran has been operating from Azerbaijan since the government directed the evacuation of Iranian diplomats in mid-2025.
