Iran Appoints AMIA Bombing Suspect Ahmad Vahidi as Revolutionary Guards Commander

Controversial Appointment Announced

Iran has named Ahmad Vahidi, a figure wanted by Interpol in connection with the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires, as the new commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The appointment was reported on March 1 or 2, 2026, following the death of his predecessor, Mohammad Pakpour, in recent airstrikes attributed to the United States and Israel.

Vahidi, a long-standing figure within the IRGC, previously led the elite Quds Force from 1988 to 1997 and has also served as Iran's Minister of Defense (2009-2013) and Minister of Interior (2021-2024).

Allegations in the AMIA Bombing

The appointment has reignited international scrutiny over Vahidi's alleged involvement in the July 18, 1994, bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires. The attack, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds, remains the deadliest terrorist incident in Argentina's history.

Argentine prosecutors accuse Vahidi of being one of the masterminds behind the bombing, alleging his participation in a crucial meeting where the attack was planned. At the time of the attack, Vahidi was serving as the commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, its extraterritorial operations unit.

Interpol Red Notice and Argentine Condemnation

Vahidi has been subject to an Interpol Red Notice since 2007, issued at Argentina's request for his alleged role in the AMIA bombing. In May 2024, Argentina renewed its request for Interpol to arrest him.

Argentina has consistently condemned Vahidi's high-level appointments within the Iranian government, describing them as 'an affront to Argentine justice and to the victims of the brutal terrorist attack.' In April 2024, Argentina's highest criminal court ruled that Iran was responsible for the 1994 attack, declaring it a 'crime against humanity.' Iran, however, has consistently denied any involvement in the AMIA bombing, dismissing the accusations as 'baseless' or a 'Zionist plot.'

Broader Implications

The appointment of an individual with an active Interpol Red Notice to such a prominent military position is expected to further strain relations between Iran and Argentina, as well as draw criticism from international human rights organizations and other nations. The move underscores Iran's defiance of international calls for accountability regarding the AMIA bombing.