The U.S. Offers Reward for Information on Hezbollah-Linked Bombing of Panamanian Plane

On Tuesday, the U.S. announced a reward of up to $5 million for information regarding the bombing of a plane in Panama in 1994. The bombing, attributed to Hezbollah, a group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, resulted in 21 deaths. The plane exploded mid-flight, killing all its passengers, most of whom were Jewish Panamanians, including three Americans. This explosion occurred one day after a bombing at a Jewish center in Buenos Aires, which left 85 dead and at least 150 injured. A statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Embassy in Panama indicated that 'investigations have shown that Hezbollah is responsible for the bombing of flight AC 901.' The statement also identified an individual named 'Ali Hawa Jamal' as a suspect who brought the bomb onto the plane, who was also killed in the explosion. The FBI has stated it is seeking information that could help identify potential suspects and clarify this crime. New sanctions against Islamic Republic agents have been imposed due to 'interference in elections' and 'targeting officials.' The U.S. is offering rewards of up to $20 million for information leading to the arrest of Shahram Poursafi, a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.