Costa Rica designates IRGC, 3 Iran-backed groups as terror organizations

The Israeli military said it killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, whom it identified as the personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, in a strike in Beirut on Wednesday.

According to the IDF, Harshi was a close associate and adviser to Qassem and played a central role in managing and securing his office.

The military also said it struck two key crossings used by Hezbollah fighters and commanders moving from north to south of the Litani River to transfer weapons, rockets and launchers.

It added that about 10 weapons storage sites, launchers and command centers used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon were also hit overnight.

Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Houthis in Yemen were also designated.

The government made the decision on Monday, according to the ministry, which said the measure was taken in line with Costa Rica’s international commitments to combat terrorism and its financing.

The move will "allow intelligence authorities and judicial bodies to strengthen their prevention, investigation, and prosecution capabilities, acting more decisively against any logistical and financial support networks that may be operating within the country to sustain these organizations,” the foreign ministry said.

It added that the designation would help intelligence and judicial authorities strengthen their ability to prevent, investigate and prosecute logistical and financial support networks linked to the groups.

“The designation seeks to prevent any form of action or influence by these groups in Costa Rica, safeguarding the security of the population and integrity of our democratic institutions," according to the statement.

Several countries have moved in recent weeks to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, while the Trump administration has urged allies to take similar action against the IRGC and Hezbollah.

Iceland, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Liechtenstein designated the terror group on March 20, followed by Argentina on March 31.

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  Argentina designates Iran's IRGC Quds Force as terrorist group

Western governments have increasingly targeted the IRGC over its regional activities, support for armed groups and role in Iran’s security apparatus.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards have been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Australia.

Authorities in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad declared two days of local holiday at short notice from Thursday ahead of expected talks between the United States and Iran.

No reason was given in a notification issued late on Wednesday by the Islamabad district administration.

Pakistan has been preparing for talks involving US and Iranian representatives on the war in the Middle East.

Iran's negotiators will arrive in Islamabad on Thursday night for talks on the conflict with the United States and Israel, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan said.

In a post on X, Reza Amiri Moghadam said the delegation would arrive in Islamabad for “serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran.”

Amiri Moghadam later deleted his post about the arrival of the Iranian delegation on X .

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must remain toll-free, British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said on Thursday, arguing that freedom of navigation means vessels should not be charged for passage.

Cooper said fundamental freedoms of the sea must not be unilaterally withdrawn or sold off.

She also said governments should support proposals by the International Maritime Organization for ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

Cooper added that Lebanon must be included in any US-Iran ceasefire agreement.