Argentina has ordered Iran’s top diplomat in Buenos Aires to leave the country within 48 hours, sharply escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

In an official statement issued on April 2, 2026, Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had declared Mohsen Soltani Tehran, the Iranian chargé d’affaires ad interim, persona non grata.

Under international diplomatic rules, the declaration requires the diplomat to depart Argentine territory within two days.

Iran’s Poor History with Argentina

The Argentine government said its decision was taken under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, which allows a host country to expel a foreign diplomat without providing a detailed justification.

The Foreign Ministry said the move followed a statement released a day earlier by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that contained what Buenos Aires described as false and offensive accusations against Argentina and its authorities.

According to the communiqué, the remarks were regarded as an unacceptable interference in Argentina’s internal affairs and an attempt to undermine decisions taken in accordance with international law and Argentina’s legal system.

“This conduct constitutes unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of our country and a distortion of decisions adopted in line with international law,” the statement said.

Argentina linked the latest diplomatic incident to its long‑running dispute with Iran over the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, known as the AMIA, in Buenos Aires.

The attack killed 85 people and injured hundreds.

Argentine courts have accused senior Iranian officials of involvement in planning the bombing, an allegation Iran has consistently denied.

The Foreign Ministry said Iran’s continued refusal to cooperate with Argentina’s judiciary in the AMIA investigation remains a serious concern.

It also criticized Iran for ignoring international arrest and extradition requests issued against individuals wanted by Argentine justice in connection with the attack.

Argentina’s Stance on Iran’s Policies

In particularly strong language, the communiqué condemned Iran’s decision to name individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IGRC) to senior positions, despite their being sought by Argentine courts.

The Argentine government described those appointments as a direct challenge to judicial efforts and an obstacle to accountability.

“This new incident aggravates Iran’s persistent refusal to cooperate with Argentine justice,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that such actions obstruct progress in cases involving crimes of international terrorism.

Argentina stressed that it will not tolerate insults or pressure from any state that, in its view, has repeatedly failed to meet its international obligations.

The statement said the country rejects any external interference in its legal or political decisions.

The expulsion comes at a time of growing alignment between Argentina and the United States under President Javier Milei, whose government has adopted a tougher stance on Iran and strengthened ties with Western allies.

Argentina has recently taken steps to reinforce its counter‑terrorism framework and publicly reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice for victims of past attacks.

The Foreign Ministry concluded by reaffirming Argentina’s commitment to memory, truth, justice, and the fight against terrorism.

It also reiterated its support for international law and the principles governing diplomatic relations, while making clear that those principles do not shield diplomats from consequences when conduct is deemed unacceptable.