Buenos Aires, Argentina — Iran lashed out at Argentina on Wednesday after the South American country sought the arrest of Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi for his alleged role in the deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.
Without mentioning Vahidi by name, Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned Argentina not to “make unfounded accusations against citizens of other countries.” Wednesday’s warning came a day after Argentina demanded that Pakistan act on an Interpol red notice to arrest Vahidi during an official visit to Islamabad.
Vahidi, wanted by Interpol, cut short his government trip to Southeast Asia and returned unexpectedly to Tehran on Wednesday.
There was no immediate response from Pakistani authorities.
Argentina’s renewed push to hold Iran responsible for the worst such attack in its history comes as right-wing President Javier Milei reshapes his foreign policy to align more closely with Iran’s bitter enemy, Israel, and as tensions rise. among the enemies of the Middle East.
In an apparent reference to Israel, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani urged Argentina “not to be influenced by those who are enemies of our bilateral relations.”
No one has been convicted of planning or carrying out the 1994 attack that killed 85 people and injured more than 300. But in recent weeks, as Iran faces increasing isolation and global sanctions, Argentina has stepped up its efforts to convict Iran and its militant network abroad for their alleged involvement. Iran has repeatedly denied any connection to the attack.
In a move applauded by Israel, Argentina’s highest criminal court ruled this month that the Iranian government had planned the 1994 attack, as well as a 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires that killed 29 people. The judges singled out three former Iranian officials for their involvement in the attack on the Jewish community center, including Minister Vahidi, who at the time led the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Expeditionary Force. The court also accused the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah of carrying out the attack.
Earlier this week, Vahidi accompanied Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad, where he met his Pakistani counterpart to discuss intelligence sharing. Although he was expected to continue with Raisi’s delegation to Sri Lanka, Vahidi abruptly returned, sparking speculation that Argentina’s request had complicated his international trip.
He made a surprise appearance Wednesday at a cabinet meeting in Tehran, where he praised his trip to Pakistan in interviews with state-linked Iranian media outlets. Meanwhile, President Raisi landed in Sri Lanka.
Argentine authorities said Tuesday that they had coordinated with diplomats in Pakistan and India to request Vahidi’s arrest and extradition to Buenos Aires. “They continue to occupy positions of power with total impunity,” says a government statement. Kanani, the Foreign Minister’s spokesman, accused Argentina of making “illegal and false requests” to defame Iran.
For years, Argentina has tried in vain to take advantage of Interpol red notices to press for the arrest of accused Iranian officials. The country’s elusive quest for justice in the 1992 and 1994 attacks has been mired in controversy and alleged government cover-ups.
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