Iran's Stance on Defense Amid Regional Conflict
Iran has declared it will persist in defending itself if "aggression from the American and Israeli side continues," stated Seyed Ali Mousavi, the Iranian ambassador to the UK, in an interview with the BBC.
Despite Iran's president issuing an apology to Gulf neighbors and pledging to halt attacks on Saturday, Mousavi emphasized on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Iran's policy remains focused on self-defense.
Following several days of strikes across the Middle East that caused significant disruption and damage in multiple countries, Mousavi explained that "if facilities or properties or bases are used against the Iranian nation," these would be deemed "legitimate targets."
Recent hours have seen Gulf countries, including Qatar and the UAE, targeted by Iran, while the US and Israel have continued their offensive as the conflict enters its second week.
Interview Insights: Iran's Position on Regional Strikes
In an exclusive BBC interview to be aired Sunday, Mousavi was questioned about whether Iran would cease attacks on military bases outside Israel within the Middle East.
He responded that there is "willingness from the Iranian side not to strike, not to attack our neighbours."
However, he maintained Iran's right to continue targeting military bases throughout the region.
Mousavi stated that Iran's response "depends on the activities of the Americans and the Israeli regime."
If the aggression… continues there is no doubt we will defend ourselves. And if they want to use these military bases - although we don't want to do that -there is no doubt we will defend ourselves accordingly.
The conflict has persisted for over seven days since the US and Israel initiated strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with attacks across the region.
Countries affected include Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Iraq, as well as a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus.
Unprecedented Apology and Rare Interview
It is uncommon for a nation like Iran to issue a public apology, making President Masoud Pezeshkian's gesture notable.
Equally rare was Iran's ambassador to the UK agreeing to an interview and inviting the BBC to conduct it at Iran's embassy in London, a site symbolic of the complex history between Iran and the West.
The embassy, located near Hyde Park, was the scene of a 1980 siege where five Iranian gunmen were killed by SAS commandos, resulting in the release of nineteen hostages, with one fatality and two injuries from crossfire. The gunmen were members of a dissident group opposing Ayatollah Khomeini.
Ambassador's Perspective on the Conflict
Like President Pezeshkian, Ambassador Mousavi sought to convey that Iran's actions are reactive to aggression from Israel and the US, not intended to endanger other Middle Eastern citizens or unnecessarily prolong the war.
Nonetheless, Iran's widespread attacks across various countries, perceived by Western officials as indiscriminate retaliation, present a contrasting narrative.
Speaking beside a large banner of the recently deceased Supreme Leader, Mousavi made clear that Iran will continue strikes on Israel and American military bases throughout the Middle East as long as attacks from those nations persist.
The ambassador strongly denied that Iran initiated the conflict and dismissed US President Donald Trump's demand for Iran's surrender.
While Iran has apologized for some disruptions to its neighbors, the apology does not signify an end to the conflict.
Watch the full interview on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on BBC One at 09:00 GMT.
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