Skip to main content

Congressman Cohen Condemns Appointment of Wanted Criminals to Senior Iranian Government Positions

September 22, 2021

Two implicated in 1994 Buenos Aires Jewish Center bombing

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Co-Chairman of the Congressional Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus, today condemned the appointment of two known criminals to the leadership of the Iranian government, and made the following statement:

"Last month, the new Iranian government, headed by a known human rights abuser, President Ebrahim Raisi, added two more criminals to leadership positions. The parliament approved 19 nominations made by President Raisi. Among them were Ahmad Vahidi, now interior minister, and Mohsen Rezai, now vice president of economics. Both of these men played key roles in the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Mutual Israelite Association, a Jewish center in Buenos Aires. Their actions resulted in the deaths of 85 people and injury to 300. Vahidi and Rezai are also flagged by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) with red alerts, meaning they are wanted internationally for their crimes.

"I am both offended and disappointed by these new appointments. Iran's blatant disregard for human rights and anti-Semitic sentiments cannot continue undeterred. These men must be tried by Argentine courts so that justice for the lives lost in the 1994 attack can finally be served. As the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus, human rights and democratic freedom in Iran are very important issues to me. We will not see a free Iran while known criminals and human rights abusers continue to hold high positions in the government."

###