Vahidi: A decisive slap to Israel
Photo: AFP
Vahidi says beaten Israeli propaganda
Iran's new defense minister says his appointment 'nullifies psychological war started by Zionists'
Iran's new defence minister, who is wanted by Argentina in connection with the deadly bombing of a Jewish center, repeated on Sunday that his appointment to the post was a blow to Israeli propaganda.
More From Vahidi
Moments after Islamic Republic's parliament approves president's nominee for defense minister, Ahmad Vahidi, accused of involvement in 1994 bombing of Jewish center in Argentina, says 'Any move from Zionist entity against Iran will be met with powerful response'
Vahidi, a military commander, said in a statement carried by most Iranian news agencies on Sunday that his approval for the post was a sign that the people want a stronger defense establishment.
"It is also a stamp which nullifies the wave of propoganda and psychological war started by the Zionists," he said of Iran's arch-foe Israel.
On Thursday, soon after being approved by MPs with the highest number of votes secured by any Ahmadinejad cabinet nominee, Vahidi told AFP parliament's decision was a "decisive slap to Israel."
Of the 286 MPs who cast their ballots during the confidence motion, 227 voted for him.
Vahidi was deputy defense minister during Ahmadinejad's first four-year term and also held the same post under reformist president Mohammad Khatami, who was succeeded by Ahmadinejad in 2005.
Vahidi is wanted by Argentina in connection with the July 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires of a Jewish center in which 85 people were killed and 300 wounded.
The explosion levelled the seven-floor Argentine Jewish Mutual Association building in an attack for which no one has ever been convicted.
In 2007, Interpol distributed an Argentine warrant for Vahidi's arrest in connection with the bombing.
Iran does not recognize Israel, and Ahmadinejad said during his first term that the Jewish state is doomed to be "wiped off the map." He further angered the global community by calling the Holocaust a "myth."
