The Trump administration has praised a significant decision made by Paraguay in its fight against terrorism. Recently, the U.S. State Department congratulated President Santiago Peña for designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This move is viewed by the U.S. as an important step in combatting Iran’s terrorist influence in the Western Hemisphere.
State 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.” This designation aligns with Paraguay’s earlier actions, where it expanded its list of terrorist organizations to include the entire entities of both Hezbollah and Hamas. This strong stance against Iranian-backed extremism has been recognized as crucial by the Trump administration.
Bruce highlighted the fact that Iran remains a leading state sponsor of terrorism. The IRGC, alongside its affiliates like Hezbollah and Hamas, has been implicated in financing and coordinating numerous acts of terrorism worldwide.
The development is especially relevant in the Tri-Border Area, where Paraguay meets Argentina and Brazil—a region known for being a financial hub for Hezbollah-linked activities. The State Department mentioned that Paraguay’s recent actions are expected to hinder the Iranian regime’s capacity to fund terrorist activities and operate freely in Latin America.
Bruce emphasized the importance of Paraguay’s decision, stating it will contribute significantly to stopping the Iranian regime and its proxies from executing terrorist plots and fundraising for their destabilizing efforts.
The Trump administration intends to build on this momentum and work collaboratively with its allies to address the threats posed by Iran’s global influence. Bruce reiterated the call for nations around the world to hold the Iranian regime accountable and to prevent its operatives from functioning in their territories.
This effort aligns with Trump’s ongoing commitment to confronting Iran’s terror network, a priority since his first term. Notably, he withdrew the U.S. from the Obama-era nuclear deal in 2018, deeming it profoundly flawed. Under the current administration, negotiations have resumed but are now being approached from a position of strength.
With progress reported in the latest rounds of discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the administration remains hopeful. Bruce concluded by inviting all nations to join the U.S. in holding Iran accountable for its actions.
Currently, the United States does not have a permanent ambassador to Paraguay; Amir Masliyah is serving as Chargé D’Affaires in the interim.
