Iran criticized Argentina for seeking the arrest of Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi over his alleged involvement in the deadly 1994 bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish community center. Iran warned Argentina against making baseless accusations against its citizens and urged them not to be influenced by enemies of their bilateral relations, likely referring to Israel. Vahidi, who is wanted by Interpol, cut his government trip short and returned to Tehran after Argentina demanded his arrest during an official visit to Islamabad. No one has been convicted for planning or carrying out the 1994 bombing, but Argentina has escalated efforts to condemn Iran and its overseas militant network for its alleged involvement.
Argentina’s highest criminal court recently ruled that the Iranian government had plotted the 1994 attack on the Jewish community center and a 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires. The court accused three former Iranian officials, including Minister Vahidi, and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah of executing the attack. Despite Iran’s repeated denial of any connection to the attack, Argentina continues to push for accountability. Iran faces increasing global isolation and sanctions, which may have contributed to Argentina’s intensified efforts to hold Iran responsible for the bombings.
Earlier this week, Vahidi accompanied Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad, where they discussed intelligence-sharing with Pakistani officials. Vahidi unexpectedly returned to Tehran, leading to speculation that Argentina’s request had complicated his international travel plans. Argentina said they coordinated with diplomats in Pakistan and India to request Vahidi’s detention and extradition to Buenos Aires. The Argentine government accused Iran of holding positions of power with impunity and making illegal and false requests to defame Iran.
For years, Argentina has tried to use Interpol red notices to press for the arrests of accused Iranian officials, but their quest for justice in the 1992 and 1994 bombings has been mired in controversy and allegations of government cover-ups. The renewed push by Argentina to hold Iran accountable for the deadly attacks comes as right-wing President Javier Milei reshapes foreign policies to align more closely with Israel, Iran’s bitter enemy. The tensions between Iran and Israel are escalating, and Argentina’s efforts to condemn Iran’s alleged involvement in the bombings reflect the changing dynamics of international relations in the Middle East.
