Israel Slams Iran’s Appointment of Rezaei, Wanted Over 1994 AMIA Bombing
Israel criticized Iran’s appointment of former IRGC commander-in-chief Mohsen Rezaei to a top national security post, citing an Interpol Red Notice over his role in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.
“The Iranian regime worships terror, rewards its architects and promotes them to the highest levels of power,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
The bombing killed 85 people, and Rezaei is sought by Argentina in connection with the attack. Interpol approved a Red Notice for Rezaei and five others in 2007 at Argentina’s request, a decision upheld by its General Assembly. Argentine authorities say Rezaei took part in the meeting where the attack was decided; he and Iran deny responsibility.
Rezaei, 71, was named secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Sunday after Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr resigned just four months into the role. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei also appointed him his representative on the council, cementing his position in the body overseeing decisions on war and diplomacy. He is the second person to lead the council since Israel killed Ali Larijani in March.
The Red Notice has not stopped Rezaei from traveling internationally before, including a 2022 appearance at Nicaragua’s presidential inauguration that drew condemnation from Argentina, and a 2022 bid by Argentina to have Qatar arrest him while he was in the Gulf state, which Qatar declined to do.
