Over the objections of U.S. officials and Jewish leaders, the Iranian parliament approved the nomination of a suspect in the bombing of an Argentine Jewish community center as the country’s new defense minister.

Ahmad Vahidi, wanted by Interpol in connection with the 1994 bombing of the center in Buenos Aires that killed 85, was unanimously approved for the position. Lawmakers chanted “Death to Israel” as Vahidi spoke to the body after the Sept. 3 vote, according to media reports.

In an address to the parliament after his election, Vahidi acknowledged that Israel may try to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, but said that “every move from the Zionist entity against Iran will be met with a harsh and powerful response from Iran.” — jta