8 charged in 1992 AMIA bombing that killed 151

Argentina has formally charged seven Iranians and one Lebanese national over the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, a major new development in a case that has dragged on for more than three decades.

Federal Judge Daniel Rafecas said the attack, which killed 85 people and injured 151, was ordered by Iran’s top leadership and carried out by Hezbollah, according to the ruling.

Among those charged are former Iranian Intelligence Minister Ali Fallahijan, former Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Velayati and Hezbollah operative Salman Raouf Salman.

Iran has refused to extradite the suspects, who remain at large.

The court ordered $500 million in liens against each defendant and is moving toward a trial in absentia under Argentina’s newer legal framework.

Rafecas also pointed to a possible connection with the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, which killed 22 people.

Argentine officials hailed the latest legal action in the AMIA bombing case as a breakthrough after decades without convictions.

Justice Minister Juan Bautista Mahiques called the ruling “a milestone in the fight against impunity” and “a historic step” for the 85 victims, their families and Argentine society.

President Javier Milei welcomed the move, writing on X: “Morality as state policy!”

Argentina has long accused senior Iranian officials of directing the attack through Hezbollah. Years of investigations were marred by corruption and delays, while Iran refused to surrender suspects.

Argentine Ambassador to Israel Axel Wahnish called the new action “a moment of justice.”

“While previous governments signed a memorandum with Iran to cover up the terrorist attacks, we signed a memorandum with Israel in defense of life and democracy and against terrorism and antisemitism,” Wahnish said.