Israel & US praise Paraguay’s decision to designate Hamas, Hezbollah & Iranian IRGC as terror groups

Israel and the United States praised the president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, for designating Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as terror groups “for their systematic violations of peace, human rights, and the security of the international community.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the move, calling it a “landmark decision” by Paraguay. “More countries should follow suit and join the fight against Iranian aggression and terrorism,” he added.

On Thursday, Paraguay’s Presidential Office announced that Peña signed new decrees expanding the previous designations of Hamas and Hezbollah’s military arms to their whole organizations.

¡El Paraguay reafirma su compromiso con la lucha global contra el terrorismo!
Hemos ampliado la designación de Hezbolá y Hamás como organizaciones terroristas, alcanzando ahora a todos sus componentes; y, además, hemos designado como organización terrorista al Cuerpo de… pic.twitter.com/k8XceSSsvv

— Santiago Peña (@SantiPenap) April 24, 2025

“Our country reaffirms its firm and non-negotiable stance in the fight against terrorism, one of the most harmful threats to the civilized international community, the upholding of human rights, democracy, and the economic and social development of nations.”

Peña emphasized that the decision reaffirms Paraguay's “unwavering commitment to peace, international security, and the unconditional respect for human rights, consolidating its position within the international community as a country firmly opposed to all forms of terrorism and strengthening its relations with allied countries in this fight.”

Later on Thursday, Sa’ar spoke with his Paraguayan colleague Ruben Ramirez, praising the decision, which he said expressed “a clear and noteworthy value position.”

“Paraguay is a country whose foreign policy is characterized by a distinct moral dimension and the ability to distinguish between good and evil. Paraguay is also a true friend of Israel, and I expressed my appreciation and Israel's appreciation for this strong friendship,” Sa’ar wrote on 𝕏.

Israel’s Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also congratulated “President Pena and the leadership of Paraguay on an unparalleled moral and just step.”

The U.S. State Department joined in commending the move, stating it welcomed the designations.

“Iran remains the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world and has financed and directed numerous terrorist attacks and activities globally, through its IRGC-Qods Force and proxies such as Hizballah and Hamas,” according to an official statement by spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

“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.”

“We call on all countries to hold the Iranian regime accountable and prevent its operatives, recruiters, financiers, and proxies from operating in their territories,” the statement concluded.

Paraguay is a close ally of Israel, and one of six countries that currently have their embassies located in the capital, Jerusalem.

In January, Peña told the Jewish News Syndicate: “Paraguay has been fighting for freedom, for democracy, for many of the right causes thanks to Jewish and Israel influence for centuries. Sometimes, it’s tough, but when you stick to it, it will absolutely pay off.”