In a new chapter of controversial statements, the social and political leader Luis D’Elia generated a strong impact by stating in a radio interview that the attacks against the Israeli Embassy (1992) and the AMIA (1994) were perpetrated by the SIDE (former State Intelligence Secretariat) and the Israeli Mossad. Furthermore, he anticipated that “probably” there will be a new attack in Argentina “to become a victim,” blaming Iran or third parties.
In the viralized audio – spread on networks and media such as Instagram and local portals – D’Elía expressed: “In this country, my law is America, Israel and Zionism. Iran, who? Who is Iran in Argentina? I am from Iran. Today possibly, and I say this with all force, with all conviction, probably like 30 years ago they will carry out another attack on Argentina to victimize themselves. They are going to carry out an attack in Argentina because it is the only thing they have left, victimization. And it’s going to be these guys again… Today it is reproven that 30 years ago this attack was carried out by the CIDE [sic, refiriéndose a SIDE] and the Mossad. Clearly today the work that the Zionism In Argentina it is devastating. I think there will be an answer. What is happening? They need to victimize themselves and they are going to fabricate an attack here, for sure, to blame Iran or whoever. The planet is on the verge of terrible situations. “It seems to me that we are just a few hours away from tremendous things happening.”
These statements, made in a context of international high tension by the conflict in the Middle East—including escalations between Iran, Israel and the United States—, unleashed immediate criticism. Figures like the journalist Cristina Perez They crossed it through networks describing it as “antisemitism”and the lawyer Jorge Monastersky filed a criminal complaint for apology of terrorism and implied threats.
What the Argentine Justice says Contrary to what was proposed by D’Elía—whose theses coincide with conspiratorial versions that he has held for years—, the Argentine justice has firmly and repeatedly determined the responsibility of Iran and the terrorist organization Hezbollah in both attacks. In April 2024the Federal Court of Criminal Cassation —the country’s highest criminal court— declared that the attacks were carried out by Hezbollah under directives and financing from the Iranian government of the time, qualifying them as crimes against humanity. This resolution is based on evidence collected over decades by the AMIA Fiscal Unit (UFI-AMIA)Argentine, American and Israeli intelligence reports, and technical expertise that ruled out other hypotheses.
The judicial investigation, which included international arrest warrants via Interpol against Iranian officials and members of Hezbollah, never found credible evidence of participation of the SIDE or the Mossad as authors.
The statements of D’Elía—who defined himself as “I am Iran”— revive theories of “false flag” that have been denied by Justice and international organizations. In a country that still cries at 85 AMIA victims and the 29 of the Embassyand who demands justice after more than 30 years of partial impunity, his words have been interpreted by many as a irresponsible provocation at a time of maximum global sensitivity.
