Argentina Wants Iran to Hand Over Minister Allegedly Involved in Jewish Center Bombings, Iran Refuses

The feud between Argentina and Iran over the 1994 Buenos Aires Jewish Center Bombing has intensified 30 years on, with Argentina demanding the Islamic Republic hand over Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi over allegedly being one of the terrorist attack's perpetrators.

In a statement released by the Argentinian Foreign Ministry, Interpol has already issued a red notice against the Iranian minister, with the notice saying that "Vahidi is wanted by Argentina for alleged aggravated murder and damages."

The request from the Argentinian government came after a federal court in the South American country found that Hezbollah, backed by Iran, was responsible for the deadly Jewish Center bombing in 1994. The court found that the terrorist group "acted with directives and financing from the government of Iran."

As CNN noted, 85 people were killed, as well as injuring approximately 300 people, including non-Jewish residents of the Argentine capital. It was considered the worst terrorist attack in the Latin American country's history and has strained its relationship with Iran ever since.

"Thank you to President (Javier) Milei and Foreign Minister Diana Mondino for the request to issue an order for his arrest for the attack against the Jewish community," wrote Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on X. "A request that strengthens the Jewish communities and the families of the victims and sends a clear message: the free world is determined to stop the Iranian terrorist regime and (its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei."

Iran Rejects Argentina's Request To Hand Over Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi

As for how Iran responded, the Islamic Republic lashed out against Argentina and warned the Latin American country against "making baseless accusations against citizens of other countries."

Vahidi was in Islamabad, Pakistan for an official visit and Argentina demanded that Pakistan act on an Interpol red notice against the Iranian government official. This angered Iran, leading to the country issuing the warning.

There was no immediate response from Pakistani authorities yet, though Iran did also slam Israel by telling Argentina "not to be influenced by those who are enemies of our bilateral relations."

The Associated Press noted that this renewed push from Argentina to hold Iran accountable for the 1994 Jewish Center Bombings came as right-wing President Javier Milei is trying to align his foreign policy more with Israel, which has recently bombed parts of Iran after the Islamic Republic tried to bomb the Jewish state as well.

Argentina Claims Iran Minister Ahmad Vahidi Was the Mastermind Behind the Jewish Center Bombings

Argentina has been very adamant about getting Vahidi, as the country has previously accused the Iranian government official of leading the e overseas operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (ICRGC) when the attack happened.

According to the BBC, Argentina has previously accused Vahidi of being one of the masterminds behind the Jewish Center Bombing in Buenos Aires, which many in the country are still reeling from to this day. Meanwhile, Iran has publicly denied any involvement in the bombing and stated that the findings by the Argentinian court were "baseless and unsubstantiated claims" for the sake of "political goals and objectives."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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