Text of the Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Thirty-one years ago, on July 18, 1994, a building in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, was bombed. From the outset, this suspicious explosion was diverted onto a misguided path by elements and factions affiliated with the Zionist regime, resulting in, among other consequences, the disruption of the longstanding relations between the nations of Iran and Argentina.
Over the past three decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly expressed its position clearly and transparently, condemning all forms of terrorist acts, regardless of where or by whom they are committed, and emphasizing the need for a transparent investigation based on principles of fair judicial process for this suspicious incident.
The Islamic Republic of Iran also completely rejects the accusations leveled against Iranian citizens and condemns the insistence of certain circles within Argentina to pressure the country’s judicial system into making baseless accusations and issuing seemingly judicial rulings against Iranian citizens. Iran has consistently called for identifying the true perpetrators and masterminds of the explosion, uncovering the truth, and delivering justice.
Over the past 31 years, the passage of time has only added to the questions and ambiguities surrounding the 1994 explosion. Clear and undeniable evidence has emerged indicating the influence and pressure exerted by the Zionist regime and its affiliated factions on Argentina’s judicial system to falsely accuse Iranian citizens.
Frequent changes in the judicial team handling the case, revelations of corruption among some judicial officials leading to their dismissal, resignations of judges, and even assassination attempts against them all testify to a deliberate effort to divert Argentina’s judicial system from conducting a transparent and fair investigation, with the aim of shielding the true perpetrators and masterminds of the explosion.
Despite the baseless nature of the claims against its citizens, the Islamic Republic of Iran, solely to safeguard bilateral relations and restore the reputation of Iranian citizens unjustly accused in this case, engaged in dialogue with relevant Argentine authorities at one point, resulting in a memorandum of understanding signed in 2013. However, less than two years after its conclusion, the Argentine side unilaterally canceled the memorandum, obstructing the establishment of a transparent process to uncover the truth and identify the real perpetrators and masterminds of the explosion. This action further demonstrated that those orchestrating this case are not interested in uncovering the truth or delivering justice.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, while firmly emphasizing the baseless nature of the accusations against its citizens, insists on restoring the reputation of the accused Iranian citizens and demands an end to this theatrical investigation. Iran expects Argentina’s judicial authorities to handle the case transparently, fairly, and free from politicization and undue influence by third parties.
It is evident that the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law, reserves its legitimate and legal rights to respond to any inappropriate and baseless actions against itself and its citizens, and will take appropriate measures in this regard.
