Iranian held in UK over 1994 Argentina blast

A former Iranian diplomat studying in Britain has been arrested in connection with a terrorist attack in Argentina nine years…

A former Iranian diplomat studying in Britain has been arrested in connection with a terrorist attack in Argentina nine years ago.

Scotland Yard said Mr Hade Soleimanpour was detained on an extradition warrant at his home in Durham.

The 47-year-old was Iranian ambassador to Argentina at the time of the bombing on a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires on July 18th, 1994.

Mr Soleimanpour is accused of conspiracy to murder in connection with the attack. He will appear before Bow Street magistrates in London today.

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It is understood a formal request was made by Argentinian authorities for Mr Soleimanpour to be extradited from Britain.

Nearly 90 people were killed and 200 injured when the blast destroyed the headquarters of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association and the Delegation of Argentine Jewish Association.

The seven-storey building was the main community centre for Jews in Argentina, which has the largest Jewish population in Latin America.

Argentine and Jewish leaders have blamed the Lebanon-based Islamic terrorist group Hezbollah and the Iranian government for the attack. Iran's foreign ministry rejected allegations of any Iranian involvement at the time.

PA