President Javier Milei declared on Sunday that the joint US-Israel war against Iran was the "right thing to do" as he seized attention during his visit to the Middle East.
Milei, who was welcomed enthusiastically by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also announced a new multilateral agreement, the so-called “Isaac Accords,” aimed at deepening bilateral ties between Israel and Latin American countries.
Making his third visit to Israel as President, Milei reaffirmed Argentina's support for the campaign against Iran, citing his government's earlier decision to designate the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards and the Quds Force as "terrorist organisations.”
Earlier this month, his government expelled Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Buenos Aires, Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, in response to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry containing what it called “false, offensive and inappropriate accusations.”
"We expressed our firm support for the United States and Israel in their war against terrorism and against the Iranian regime, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because our countries are brothers in suffering," Milei said in a joint statement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Argentina was the victim of cowardly terrorist attacks on the AMIA and on the Embassy of Israel, both instigated by the Islamic Republic of Iran," he added.
Argentina has accused Iran of not cooperating with a probe into the 1994 bombing f the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and injured more than 300.
Prior to that, in 1992, an explosion at the Israeli Embassy, also in Buenos Aires, killed 29 and wounded 200.
Argentine courts have blamed both attacks on Iran, which has always denied involvement and refused to hand over suspects. Both attacks remain officially unsolved, though efforts to prosecute suspects in absentia are ongoing.
"To this day, we still demand justice," said the La Libertad Avanza leader, an outspoken supporter of both Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
"We reiterate our willingness to move the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem as soon as conditions allow. We consider it necessary, but above all, just," he added.
The leaders added in their joint statement that the US-backed Isaac accords mirror the Abraham Accords, the 2020 agreement under which several Arab countries normalised relations with Israel during Trump's first term.
“Today we present the Isaac Accords, an initiative that seeks to extend that same spirit to Latin America,” said a statement from Argentina's Presidency.
The initiative brings together “the descendants of Isaac and nations of the Judeo-Christian tradition, in defence of freedom and democracy, and in the fight against terrorism, anti-Semitism, and drug-trafficking,”
The accords were part of "a new strategic framework," it added, seeking to strengthen diplomatic, commercial, cultural and strategic ties with Israel. A series of strategic deals on security and AI are also included, Israeli media reported.
Members of the accord will coordinate against “Iran’s attempts to expand its terrorist networks and operational presence across the Western Hemisphere,” the statement read.
“The initiative also seeks to foster coordination and alignment in international forums and to promote a framework to expand cooperation in innovation, technology, trade, and economic openness," it added.
In brief remarks at the signing ceremony, reported by The Times of Israel, Milei said that "Israel is now a leading technological power, and Argentina has the human capital and regulatory freedom to become the world’s next AI centre. We will develop joint models, train experts, and work together in international forums where the future of this technological revolution is determined.”
Netanyahu said at the ceremony that he had "great hope" that other Latin American countries would also sign on to the accords.
“It starts with the two of us and with the support that is always there from the US for free societies,” he said.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also attended the ceremony and described Milei and Netanyahu as "two of President Trump's greatest friends.”
"I don't know of any two world leaders on our planet that our president has more respect for and more personal relationship with," he added.
Israel and Argentina also inked a deal to launch direct flights between Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv from November – a move Milei said would cement "an unbreakable bond" between the two countries.
Netanyahu hailed Milei for showing "moral clarity" in standing with Israel.
"President Milei... has shown that by standing up with the Jewish people, standing up against anti-Semitic vilifications, standing up in our hour of need, standing up when we fight the battle of civilisation against barbarism," Netanyahu said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described Milei on X as "one of the boldest leaders of our age.”
The La Libertad Avanza leader is due to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday.
Milei is due to receive the ‘Presidential Medal of Honour,’ Israel’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his “unconditional support” for his country.
Argentina is home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, numbering nearly 300,000 people living mostly in Buenos Aires.
Milei and Netanyahu also announced that direct flights between the two countries are in the works. Initial planning expects a new Tel Aviv to Buenos Aires route to be running from December.
Earlier on Sunday, Milei visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, considered the holiest site where Jews are allowed to pray.
He had also visited the site in February 2024 and June 2025.
– TIMES/AFP
Comments