Argentina’s President Declares Iran as an Enemy

On Thursday, President Javier Milei labeled Iran as an enemy of Argentina, reiterating his support for Israel and his close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In an interview with the Argentine newspaper La Nacion, Milei touched on a variety of topics, including politics in Argentina and the recent six-year house arrest of former President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner. He emphasized that she stands by her belief in the corruption charges against her.

During the conversation, which revolved around the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Milei stated his views on the situation in Israel, where escalated tensions have led the country to close its airspace and execute strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities.

Milei has consistently portrayed himself as a strong ally of Israel, pointing out that while Israel accepts the existence of other nations, Iran does not accept Israel’s sovereignty. He remarked, “If one wants to eradicate the other, it’s difficult to negotiate with someone who aims to destroy you.”

The President characterized Israel as engaged in a “war in the West,” framing the conflict not just with Iran but also with groups like Hamas and the Houthis. He accused the media of misrepresentation, explaining that Israel faces two main threats: a desire for its obliteration and its role as a cornerstone of capitalism.

According to Milei, the attack on Israel signifies a broader assault on Jewish-Christian values which underpin Western culture. He warned that should Iran succeed in developing nuclear weapons, it could pose a global threat.

He noted that Argentina and other South American countries have been victims of Iranian terrorism, recalling attacks tied to Hezbollah on Jewish targets, including the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Israel Mutual Association and the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires.

In emphasizing the significance of these incidents, Milei stated, “One hundred fourteen died,” referencing the casualties from these attacks, and pointed out that under his administration, Hezbollah and Hamas were designated as terrorist organizations.

Milei expressed skepticism about former President Kirchner’s actions in negotiating a memorandum with Iran related to the AMIA bombing investigation, suggesting her decisions could require accountability.

He concluded by lauding Israel’s military actions against Iranian targets, reiterating that unlike Iran, Israel has a history of defending not only itself but also Western values. “Israel has saved us from threats in the past. It’s essential that we understand this,” he said.

Finally, Milei criticized political correctness and “wokeness” as ideologies that challenge the core values of capitalism, arguing that these movements aim to undermine Israel’s existence.