Argentina’s Strengthening Ties with Iran

In January 2013, the Kirchner government signed a pact establishing a joint “truth commission” with Tehran. Despite its Orwellian name, the only purpose of this commission is to whitewash Iran’s responsibility for the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, known as the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (“AMIA”), in which 84 individuals died and 300 more were injured.

To date, no one has been brought to justice for this crime due to the Argentine government’s mishandling of the AMIA investigation. Nevertheless, Argentine prosecutors, the U.S. Government and Interpol have publically accused the Iranian government of directing the attack and using the terrorist group Hezbollah to carry it out. Interpol has issued arrest warrants for six Iranians in connection with the bombing.

Despite the clear and unambiguous findings of Argentina’s own prosecutors, the Kirchner government’s deal with Tehran gives Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, more diplomatic clout and threatens to absolve its leaders of responsibility for the attack.