Iranian Ambassador to Bosnia: Israel sought to spread chaos in the Middle East

"From the very beginning, I want to clarify this issue. The Islamic Republic of Iran did not carry out any provocation. Two weeks ago, Israel attacked Iran and killed several of our commanders and scientific researchers. That act was in complete contradiction to the principles of the United Nations Charter. Numerous countries condemned this behaviour, which represents a destabilising factor in the Middle East," Abuzar Ebrahimi Torkaman said at the beginning of the conversation.

Attack during negotiations

Based on the UN Charter, he reminded, every country has the right to self-defence.

"Iran acted precisely within that right; we responded decisively and, in my opinion, gave the enemy a lesson so that it would no longer threaten the sovereignty of any country," he emphasised.

He recalled that the attacks took place in the middle of negotiations.

"Neither side stated that negotiations had failed. Our foreign minister was in contact with ministers from several European countries. Iran always welcomes dialogue, whether with Europe or the US. The attack that occurred in the midst of negotiations was essentially an attack on diplomacy," he said.

"Iran’s nuclear program is under supervision"

What is behind Israel's attack on Iran? Was the nuclear program Iran is developing truly at the stage, as claimed by American and Israeli authorities, that it had to be destroyed?

“Let us remember when the US claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, which later proved to be false. A similar narrative is now being pushed regarding Iran. We are a member of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), and all our activities are supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Their reports have clearly confirmed that all our programs are exclusively for peaceful purposes. It has never been confirmed that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Our Supreme Leader has even issued a fatwa declaring the use of nuclear energy for military purposes to be haram. For us, that is binding,” the Ambassador said.

What is the goal, then?

“That question should be asked to those who started the war. It is clear that Israel sought to spread chaos in the Middle East. Everyone confirms that it was Israel who started the conflict, and we thank the countries that condemned that act”, he said.

BiH and the reaction to events

There is no concrete reaction from either the state or entity level in BiH. Are you disappointed by that?

“We are not disappointed by the lack of an official reaction from the state or entity level in BiH. Many citizens, political, and educated individuals have sent us messages of solidarity. We are grateful to all of them, and we understand the circumstances in which BiH finds itself. I believe we will overcome difficult moments together and continue to build friendship with all peoples in BiH,” he answered.

Does Iran have the capacity, if the conflict does not end in the coming days, to deal with both Israel and America militarily?

“Iran has proven that it possesses more power than Israel and the US expected. They believed that by attacking and killing our officials, they would end the conflict. However, we have shown determination and the capacity to respond”, Torkaman said.

Will the Strait of Hormuz be closed?

“Iran has never sought to harm others. But if it comes under aggression, it has the right and the mechanisms to defend itself. I hope that both sides will respect the ceasefire and move toward a peaceful solution”, the Ambassador noted.

If diplomacy really fails in this case, are we on the brink of World War III, and a nuclear one at that?

“I don’t believe diplomacy will completely fail. We are always open to dialogue, and I believe that with the oversight of the international community and pressure, diplomacy will prevail”, he said.

Would you respond to the accusations coming, as you say, from your enemies, regarding the very poor state of human rights in your country, especially women’s rights?

“When we talk about human rights, the question must be asked: Does Israel respect human rights when it kills women and children? Unfortunately, today, human rights are used as a tool for political purposes. Iran is a country where women have broad rights, 52% of our students are women, and they hold significant positions in society”, Torkaman said.

Will anyone be held accountable for the crimes in Gaza?

"I hope the international community will find a way to bring every aggressor to justice and prevent the repetition of crimes. The UN Charter was established after the Second World War precisely to ensure justice and peace. However, concrete instruments for the enforcement of justice are also needed," he added.

Does it seem like international law, which was built up over many years, is collapsing?

"I believe the international community has an obligation to establish a system that will not allow the abuse of power. Today, peace is more necessary than ever. Strong global mechanisms are needed that can prevent crimes and wars, including the implementation of decisions of the International Criminal Court", the Ambassador noted.

Is BiH a friendly country, and are you satisfied with the cooperation?

"I am extremely satisfied with the cooperation with BiH. The three peoples in this country live together and in peace. I wish for a better future for BiH, for Iran, and for the whole world. I hope we will witness days of peace and mutual understanding", Torkaman concluded.