Paraguay Puts Iran’s IRGC on Terror List, U.S. Cheers Major Move Against Extremism

Paraguay just made a bold move in the global fight against terrorism, and it’s got the Trump administration breaking out the diplomatic confetti.

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department publicly congratulated Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña for officially designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. According to Washington, this is a game-changer for cracking down on Iran’s network in the Western Hemisphere.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the step “critical,” pointing out that the IRGC’s influence stretches far beyond the Middle East, funding and directing attacks and extremist activities worldwide—often through groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

But Paraguay didn’t stop with the IRGC. The government also expanded its previous terror designations, now labeling the entirety of both Hezbollah and Hamas as terrorist organizations, not just their armed wings. U.S. officials described this as a strong signal that Latin America isn’t rolling out the welcome mat for Iranian-backed extremism.

The decision is especially significant for the so-called Tri-Border Area—where Paraguay meets Argentina and Brazil—a region long considered a financial playground for Hezbollah-linked operatives. U.S. officials say these new measures will help cut off funding pipelines and disrupt terrorist activity throughout Latin America.

Bruce emphasized that “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.” Clearly, this isn’t just about one country; it's about putting the squeeze on bad actors wherever they try to operate.

The Trump administration says it plans to keep up the pressure, partnering with allies like Paraguay to counter Iran’s reach. Bruce called on “all countries” to take a stand and prevent Iranian operatives, recruiters, and financiers from finding safe haven.

Confronting Iran’s terror machine has been a recurring theme for Trump. In 2018, he famously walked away from the Obama-era nuclear deal—calling it “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into.” Now, the Trump team is back in nuclear talks with Iran, with two rounds already on the books this month and a third coming up soon. Officially, progress is “very good,” but don’t expect them to spill the beans on details just yet.

While the U.S. doesn’t currently have a permanent ambassador in Paraguay—Amir Masliyah is holding down the fort as Chargé D’Affaires—the diplomatic relationship is clearly alive and kicking.