This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8237179.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US disturbed by Iran defence job | US disturbed by Iran defence job |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The US has said Iran is "taking a step backward" by appointing a cabinet minister suspected of terrorism. | The US has said Iran is "taking a step backward" by appointing a cabinet minister suspected of terrorism. |
| President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad chose Ahmad Vahidi, wanted by Argentina over the deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre, as his new defence minister. | President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad chose Ahmad Vahidi, wanted by Argentina over the deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre, as his new defence minister. |
| Mr Vahidi was strongly supported by Iran's parliament, the Majlis, with 227 MPs backing him out of 286, Iranian Speaker Ali Larijani said. | |
| The US State Department described the appointment as "disturbing". | The US State Department described the appointment as "disturbing". |
| "Iran today is taking a step backward by putting into a high office a well-known individual suspected of participation in a terrorist act," said state department official PJ Crowley. | "Iran today is taking a step backward by putting into a high office a well-known individual suspected of participation in a terrorist act," said state department official PJ Crowley. |
| CABINET CONTROVERSIES Defence: Ahmad Vahidi - his appointment is controversial internationally because Argentina wants his arrest over a 1994 attack on a Jewish centreInterior: Mostafa Mohammad Najjar - a senior figure in the elite Revolutionary Guards; critics ask whether a military commander should run interior affairsHealth: Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi - first woman cabinet minister since 1979; seen as inexperiencedOil: Massoud Mirkazemi - currently commerce minister, has close links to the Revolutionary Guard; his knowledge of the oil industry has been questionedIntelligence: Heydar Moslehi - a former representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in the Basij militia; critics say he has never worked in intelligence Ahmadinejad's controversial cabinet | CABINET CONTROVERSIES Defence: Ahmad Vahidi - his appointment is controversial internationally because Argentina wants his arrest over a 1994 attack on a Jewish centreInterior: Mostafa Mohammad Najjar - a senior figure in the elite Revolutionary Guards; critics ask whether a military commander should run interior affairsHealth: Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi - first woman cabinet minister since 1979; seen as inexperiencedOil: Massoud Mirkazemi - currently commerce minister, has close links to the Revolutionary Guard; his knowledge of the oil industry has been questionedIntelligence: Heydar Moslehi - a former representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in the Basij militia; critics say he has never worked in intelligence Ahmadinejad's controversial cabinet |
| "For Iran, it is sending precisely the wrong message." | "For Iran, it is sending precisely the wrong message." |
| US President Barack Obama has given Iran until later in September to agree to new talks on its nuclear programme, or face tougher sanctions. | US President Barack Obama has given Iran until later in September to agree to new talks on its nuclear programme, or face tougher sanctions. |
| The US said it had hoped that Iran would take "a step forward to engage" with the world, showing "a new approach". | The US said it had hoped that Iran would take "a step forward to engage" with the world, showing "a new approach". |
| Taking up his post, Mr Vahidi was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying: "All those who act against Iran will face the iron fist of the Iranian government, nation and armed forces." | Taking up his post, Mr Vahidi was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying: "All those who act against Iran will face the iron fist of the Iranian government, nation and armed forces." |
| Interpol has distributed Argentina's warrant for Mr Vahidi's arrest over the attack at the Israeli-Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA) of Buenos Aires in 1994, which killed 85 people. | Interpol has distributed Argentina's warrant for Mr Vahidi's arrest over the attack at the Israeli-Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA) of Buenos Aires in 1994, which killed 85 people. |
| The US supported Argentina's efforts to prosecute those responsible for the bombing. | The US supported Argentina's efforts to prosecute those responsible for the bombing. |
| At the time of the attack Mr Vahidi was the commander of a special unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard known as the Quds Force. | At the time of the attack Mr Vahidi was the commander of a special unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard known as the Quds Force. |
| Israel and Argentina had earlier condemned Mr Vahidi's nomination, with Buenos Aires calling it "an affront to the victims" of the bombing. | Israel and Argentina had earlier condemned Mr Vahidi's nomination, with Buenos Aires calling it "an affront to the victims" of the bombing. |
| The state prosecutor who investigated the bombing, Alberto Nisman, described Mr Vahidi's appointment as a clear signal of defiance, and said Iran had always refused to co-operate with Argentina's courts. | |
| Iran has denied any involvement in the blast and says the case against it is politically-motivated. | Iran has denied any involvement in the blast and says the case against it is politically-motivated. |