6 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) United States, Canada and eight Latin American and Caribbean nations have joined forces to counter what they describe as Iranian activities and operations in the Western Hemisphere. The countries have pledged to strengthen cooperation against suspected Iranian-linked networks and activities that they consider a threat to regional security.
The joint declaration followed a Countering Transnational Terrorism Forum co-hosted by the United States and Paraguay. The meeting focused on improving cooperation among law-enforcement and security agencies to address transnational terrorism, illicit financing and other activities attributed to Iran and groups linked to Tehran.
The declaration was signed by the United States, Canada, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago.
The participating governments said they were united in their efforts to protect their citizens and national security interests from activities associated with Iran and its proxies. They accused Iranian-linked actors of engaging in activities including alleged terrorist plotting, illicit fundraising, political interference and foreign influence operations.
Officials said the cooperation would focus on improving information sharing, strengthening law-enforcement coordination and disrupting networks suspected of supporting activities linked to Iran.
The development comes amid broader tensions between the United States and Iran. Washington has maintained economic and diplomatic pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme, regional activities and alleged support for armed groups.
The latest initiative reflects a growing US focus on Iranian activities outside the Middle East. American officials have previously raised concerns about Iran’s relationships and networks in Latin America and other parts of the Western Hemisphere.
By involving several governments from the region, Washington is seeking a coordinated approach to what it describes as a shared security concern. The participating countries have indicated that closer cooperation will help them identify and respond to suspected threats more effectively.
The declaration also highlights concerns over the use of financial networks to support activities linked to Iran. Participating governments are expected to improve cooperation in identifying suspicious financial transactions and preventing illicit funds from reaching organisations or individuals considered security threats.
The United States has frequently used sanctions and financial restrictions as part of its strategy toward Iran. Washington has warned financial institutions and other entities that involvement in certain Iranian transactions could expose them to US sanctions.
Iran has rejected many US allegations regarding its international activities and has accused Washington of pursuing policies aimed at weakening the country. Tehran has also criticised American sanctions and military pressure.
The latest declaration represents the position of the participating governments and does not establish the allegations against individual organisations or people. The countries did not publicly provide details of specific operations or incidents as part of the joint announcement.
For the participating nations, the immediate priority is expected to be closer security coordination. Authorities can share intelligence, monitor suspected networks and cooperate on investigations involving terrorism financing or other alleged illicit activities.
The involvement of Canada and eight Latin American and Caribbean countries alongside the United States gives the initiative a broad regional dimension. It also signals that concerns about Iranian-linked activities are being addressed through cooperation among multiple governments rather than through unilateral US action alone.
The move comes at a sensitive time in international relations, with tensions involving Iran continuing to affect security and diplomatic calculations in several regions. The United States and its partners are likely to monitor developments closely and consider additional measures where they identify specific threats.
The joint declaration could lead to increased information sharing and further law-enforcement actions in the coming months. However, the exact nature and scope of any future measures will depend on individual countries and their assessments of suspected Iranian-linked activities.
For now, the United States and its nine partner nations have reaffirmed their intention to work together against what they describe as Iranian and proxy-related security threats in the Western Hemisphere.