Warrant against Khamenei? Argentinian prosecutor pleads arrest of Iranian Supreme Leader if he enters the country

An Argentinian prosecutor has sought a national and international arrest warrant against Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for his alleged "direct involvement" in the bombing of the Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires in 1994. 

Sebastián Basso, who petitioned the country’s federal court, demanded that the Supreme Leader be held accountable and be immediately arrested if he entered Argentinian territory, The Jerusalem Post quoted Argentinian daily Clarin. 

The bombing of the community centre killed 85 people and was allegedly carried out by Hezbollah operatives with the support of Iranian agents. This was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Argentina’s history. An  Argentinian criminal court had pinned the blame on Iran, stating the country was responsible as Hezbollah terrorists were responding to "a political and strategic design" by Iran. 

Prosecutor Basso too alleged that Khamenei "led the decision to carry out a bomb attack in Buenos Aires in July 1994 and issued an executive order (fatwa) 39 to carry it out." 

He also argued before the court that Khamenei be summoned to provide a statement with regard to his involvement in the attack along with other Iranian suspects. Basso said Khamenei was sponsoring "an armed organisation" that operates clandestinely outside of Lebanese territory and is linked to the Hezbollah movement.  

Basso asserted that Khamenei was not only a key political figure in Iran but also directly oversaw the country’s foreign policy and military operations. He noted that Khamenei appointed Hezbollah’s slain chief Hassan Nasrallah as his representative in Lebanon and asserted that "all of Iran's military and foreign policies are under his direct supervision."

Basso also wanted the court to notify Interpol for executing the arrest.

Interestingly, Basso's stance represents a shift from the position of previous Argentinian prosecutors and intelligence agents, who stressed Khamenei's immunity due to his official role. "Article 27 of the Rome Statute establishes that no form of immunity can be invoked before the International Criminal Court, and its second section emphasizes the distinction between domestic and international immunities," Basso said. 

Argentina and Iran have had only chargé d’affaires-level diplomatic relations since 1994. If the country issues an arrest warrant, it could further strain the bilateral ties. 

Middle East