Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, told the BBC in an interview that Iran will continue to defend itself if “aggression from the American and Israeli side continues.” He stated that while the Iranian government does not wish to attack its neighbors, military bases used by the US and Israeli regimes are considered “legitimate targets.”

Mousavi addressed President Masoud Pezeshkian’s apology to Gulf neighbors, emphasizing that this does not signal an end to the war. He claimed Iran’s response depends on the actions of the American and Israeli regimes: “If the aggression… continues there is no doubt we will defend ourselves,” he said, adding that Iran would strike bases if they are used against its interests.

In the past week, Iran has launched attacks on Qatar, the UAE, and other countries, causing significant disruption and damage across the Middle East. Mousavi framed these strikes as defensive measures, but Western officials allegedly view them as indiscriminate retaliation, raising concerns about regional stability as the conflict enters its second week.

The interview took place at the Iranian embassy in London, a site infamous for a 1980 siege ended by SAS commandos. Mousavi insisted that Iran has no intention of prolonging the war or endangering other Middle Eastern citizens, yet he made it clear that Iran will not halt strikes on Israel or US military bases as long as attacks from those regimes persist.

The ambassador vehemently denied that Iran is the source of the conflict and dismissed US President Donald Trump’s demand for surrender, purportedly highlighting Iran’s commitment to regional peace. However, the widespread nature of Iran’s attacks across multiple countries complicates this narrative, with critics pointing to the high costs and friction generated by the ongoing hostilities.

Source: www.bbc.com