Argentina blasts Israel for protesting deal with Iran on 1994 bombing

TEHRAN,Feb.2(MNA) – Buenos Aires issued a harsh statement on Tuesday in response to Israel’s protest over the agreement signed between Argentina and Iran to establish a joint committee to investigate the 1994 bombing against a Jewish target in Buenos Aires, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported. The statement stressed that Israel had no right to interfere in the process. According to AP, Israel summoned the Argentine ambassador on Tuesday in protest over an agreement between Iran and Argentina to jointly investigate the bombing 19 years ago of the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) building that killed 85 people and that was blamed on Tehran and Hezbollah. In addition, the United States on Thursday voiced doubt that Argentina and Iran’s planned “truth commission” would bring to justice those responsible for the deadly bombing, Reuters reported. The commission agreement, announced over the weekend but subject to the approval of Argentina’s Congress, outlines plans for Argentine officials to interview suspects in Iran rather than in a third country, as originally proposed by Argentina. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said little about the commission, but stressed that Iran had a responsibility to work with Argentine authorities to bring those responsible for the bombing to justice. “We are skeptical that such a just solution can be found in the arrangement announced,” Nuland said. “Iran’s record of cooperation with international authorities is profoundly deficient, which underlines the concern that its engagement on this matter be focused on achieving justice promptly,” she added in a written response to a question. World Jewish groups have also denounced plans by Argentina and Iran to form a truth commission, which was regarded as a diplomatic victory for Iran as it confronts a U.S.-led effort to isolate Tehran because of its nuclear program.