Fact Check: Milei blames Iran for over 100 deaths in Buenos Aires bombings.

Fact Check: Milei Blames Iran for Over 100 Deaths in Buenos Aires Bombings

What We Know

President Javier Milei of Argentina has publicly attributed responsibility for two significant terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires to Iran, specifically referencing the 1994 bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) and the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy. In a recent interview, he stated, "More than 100 people were killed in the two attacks," which aligns with historical accounts of the incidents that resulted in the deaths of 85 individuals in the AMIA bombing alone, and over 20 in the embassy bombing (Buenos Aires Times, AP News).

In April 2024, Argentina's highest criminal court confirmed that Iran had orchestrated the AMIA bombing and that Hezbollah executed the attack, further solidifying the narrative that Iran was involved in these acts of terrorism (New York Times, AP News). The court's ruling emphasized Iran's strategic role in the attack, which was reportedly in retaliation for Argentina's withdrawal from a nuclear cooperation agreement with Tehran (AP News).

Analysis

Milei's claim that Iran is responsible for the deaths resulting from these bombings is supported by both historical context and recent judicial findings. The Argentine judiciary has long held Iran accountable for the AMIA attack, and the recent court ruling reinforces this position, stating that Iran planned the bombing and Hezbollah executed it. This ruling is significant as it opens the door for victims' families to pursue legal action against Iran, which has consistently denied involvement (AP News, New York Times).

Milei's statements also reflect a broader shift in Argentina's foreign policy, which has increasingly aligned with the United States and Israel, particularly in their stance against Iran. His characterization of Iran as "an enemy of Argentina" is consistent with the sentiments expressed by various Argentine officials and the Jewish community in Argentina, who have long viewed Iran's actions as a direct threat (Buenos Aires Times, TFP Wire).

While some critics have pointed out the lack of concrete evidence directly linking Iranian officials to the bombings, the consensus among Argentine courts and historical investigations supports the view that Iran played a significant role in these attacks. The ongoing legal and diplomatic ramifications of these findings indicate a sustained effort to address the historical injustices faced by the victims and their families (AP News).

Conclusion

The claim that "Milei blames Iran for over 100 deaths in Buenos Aires bombings" is True. President Milei's statements are corroborated by historical data and recent judicial findings that attribute responsibility for the AMIA bombing and the Israeli Embassy bombing to Iran and Hezbollah, resulting in over 100 fatalities. The Argentine judiciary's long-standing position on Iran's involvement further validates Milei's assertions.

Fact Check: Milei blames Iran for over 100 deaths in Buenos Aires bombings.