Argentina seeks arrest of Iranian minister over bombing

Buenos Aires Times reports

The Argentine government has requested the arrest of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in connection with the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people.

Background

The attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) building was the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentina's history. Argentine authorities have long accused Iran of being behind the bombing, a charge Iran has denied.

In 2006, an Argentine court issued international arrest warrants for seven Iranian officials, including Amir-Abdollahian, who was then a deputy foreign minister.

Recent developments

The request for Amir-Abdollahian's arrest comes after an Argentine court last week ruled that Iran was responsible for the AMIA bombing and convicted two former Iranian officials of terrorism.

The court also found that Amir-Abdollahian had "participated in the planning and execution" of the attack.

International reaction

The United States has welcomed Argentina's request for Amir-Abdollahian's arrest, saying it is "a significant step forward in the fight against terrorism." Israel has also expressed support for the request.

Iran has denounced the Argentine court's ruling as "unfair and politically motivated." Amir-Abdollahian has called the allegations against him "baseless."