كولومبيا تقطع العلاقات مع إيران.. وتضع الحرس الثوري على قائمة الإرهاب

Colombia announced the severance of its diplomatic relations with Iran, a step that Bogotá stated is based on considerations related to national security and concerns over alleged connections between Tehran and terrorist groups and organized crime networks, while maintaining consular relations between the two countries.

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the decision to cut diplomatic relations came into effect on September 19, 2026, before it was officially announced on September 24, clarifying that the decision does not include consular relations, allowing for the continuation of services provided to the citizens of both countries.

Bogotá justified the move by what it described as a reordering of its foreign policy priorities around national security, regional security, and combating transnational crime, noting that it took into account "alleged links" between the Iranian government and international terrorist groups and organized crime groups, which it said pose a threat to Colombia's security.

In a simultaneous move, the Colombian government classified the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group, stating that its decision is based on accusations against the Guard for suppressing populations within Iran and conducting covert operations outside its borders. It added that Bogotá will enhance surveillance and security measures to prevent individuals linked to the Revolutionary Guard from entering Colombian territory.

The Colombian Foreign Ministry included among the reasons for the severance what it described as proven human rights violations within Iran, along with attacks it claimed targeted countries not involved in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Bogotá also referred to developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of obstructing navigation through the strategic passage, as well as hindering the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency in verifying the scope of the Iranian nuclear program. It stated that these combined factors led to a decline in the level of trust between the two countries.

The Colombian move comes at a time of broader diplomatic escalation towards Tehran in light of the war in the Middle East and tensions surrounding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian nuclear file.

On September 1, Peru also announced the severance of its diplomatic relations with Iran, citing concerns related to the escalation in the Middle East, navigation restrictions through Hormuz, and what it described as the obstruction of inspections conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency, while maintaining consular relations.

Diplomatic relations between Colombia and Iran date back to April 28, 1975, according to Colombian Foreign Ministry records. The relations have experienced periods of decline, as Colombia closed its embassy in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War and then reopened it in 1992, before closing it again in 2003, while Iran has maintained a diplomatic mission in Bogotá.

This decision coincides with the newly announced direction of the Colombian government towards prioritizing greater security and intelligence cooperation and addressing transnational organized crime. Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar confirmed before Congress in September that his country seeks to enhance cooperation in security and intelligence areas to confront threats including drugs, arms trafficking, money laundering, and international crime networks.

Thus, Colombia joins Peru in making a similar decision towards Tehran in September, at a time when the repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East are expanding to include issues of international navigation, energy, the nuclear program, and diplomatic relations between Iran and several countries.