Analysis

How will Argentina's 1994 bombing probe impact Iran-Latin America ties?

Argentina’s implication of Iran in the 1994 attack in Buenos Aires will not deter the Islamic Republic from pursuing relations with other countries in Latin America, says one expert.
People rally near the Congress building before marching along Avenida de Mayo avenue in the "Marcha del silencio"(March of Silence) called by Argentine prosecutors in memory of their late colleague Alberto Nisman in Buenos Aires on February 18, 2015. President Cristina Kirchner urged Argentines to be on guard Wednesday ahead of a mass protest over the mysterious death of Nisman who had accused her of a cover-up in his probe of a 1994 bombing. Nisman was found in his Buenos Aires apartment with a bullet thro
People rally near the Congress building before marching along Avenida de Mayo avenue in the "Marcha del silencio"(March of Silence) called by Argentine prosecutors in memory of their late colleague Alberto Nisman in Buenos Aires on February 18, 2015. President Cristina Kirchner urged Argentines to be on guard Wednesday ahead of a mass protest over the mysterious death of Nisman who had accused her of a cover-up in his probe of a 1994 bombing. - JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images
Adam Lucente headshot (new)
Adam Lucente
@Adam_Lucente
Read in 
Subscribe to listen

The Argentinian government is seeking the arrest of an Iranian minister for his alleged role in the bombing of a Jewish community center, a move that follows Argentina’s pro-Israel shift and could complicate Iran’s pursuit of friendly ties with Latin American states.

In a statement Tuesday, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry demanded the arrest of those responsible for the 1994 attack on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association, specifically naming Iranian Foreign Minister Ahmad Vahidi. The ministry noted that Interpol has issued a red notice for Vahidi, and asked Pakistan and Sri Lanka to arrest Vahidi, saying he was part of an Iranian delegation currently on a visit to those countries, according to the statement.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his delegation visited Sri Lanka on Wednesday following a visit to Pakistan.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Vahidi was in Iran on Tuesday, and a Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry source told Agence France-Presse that he was not listed as part of the delegation that visited Colombo.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more