Iran Justifies Military Strikes as Self-Defence Amid Rising Tensions in the Middle East
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, has defended Iran’s recent military actions targeting U.S. facilities in the Middle East, calling them acts of self-defence. He claimed the strikes followed what he described as an assassination attempt on Iran’s top leadership, allegedly carried out by Israel with U.S. backing.
Speaking to international journalists, Raja said global protests by Muslims were expected due to the spiritual leader’s influence across both Shia and Sunni communities. He noted demonstrations have taken place in countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, as well as parts of Europe and Africa.
Focus on U.S. Military Targets
Raja emphasized that Iran’s attacks were aimed specifically at American military bases, not civilian infrastructure. “We targeted U.S. military bases because they were being used to launch aggression against our country,” he said. He added that reports claiming civilian airports were hit were likely incorrect, stressing that the strikes were limited to military facilities.
Iran reportedly informed its neighbors in the Persian Gulf that any retaliatory actions would strictly target U.S. installations and not their cities. “This is an act of defence. We are not aiming at neighboring countries, only at the American facilities being used against us,” he said.
Retaliation Against Israel
Raja also defended Iran’s attacks on Israel, framing them as a justified response to an attempted assassination of Iranian leadership. He accused Israel and the U.S. of pursuing a broader plan to destabilize the Middle East, citing conflicts in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq as part of this strategy.
Warnings of Broader Regional Impact
The ambassador warned that escalating tensions could spark a wider regional conflict with serious global economic consequences. He highlighted the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway responsible for roughly 20 percent of the world’s energy supplies, as potentially being affected by the crisis.
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The Iranian representative stated that Tehran is not currently looking to engage in diplomatic talks, claiming that recent attacks have undermined any progress.
“We were pursuing negotiations, but diplomacy was effectively ended by these attacks,” he said. “Right now, our priority is protecting our sovereignty and national security.”
Strong Ties with Nigeria
When asked about Nigerian citizens in Iran, he reassured that they are safe and well. He also highlighted the longstanding and friendly relationship between Iran and Nigeria.
“Our partnership with Nigeria stretches back over 55 years and remains strong across areas like agriculture, energy, education, and trade,” he noted.
Criticism of International Institutions
The official expressed frustration with the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, for what he called their silence in the face of the crisis. He argued that global institutions have failed to respond adequately to acts of aggression.
Iran Stands for Self-Defense, Not War
Despite rising tensions, he insisted that Iran does not seek conflict and has not launched attacks against other countries for over 200 years. However, he stressed that the nation will defend itself if its sovereignty is threatened.
“We are not a nation that pursues war, but we will protect ourselves by any means necessary,” he said.
