New Delhi: Iran’s Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, stated today that Iran will “strike Israel again” if Tel Aviv continues to target Tehran’s national assets and interests in the region.
Referring to the recent missile attack on Israel as a “retaliatory operation,” the Ambassador emphasized that “Iran does not take its international interests and national security lightly.” His comments follow a sharp escalation in the West Asia conflict, after Tehran launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel on Tuesday.
The nearly year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has intensified, with Tel Aviv also targeting Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that supports Hamas. Iran had vowed to retaliate for the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed last week, warning Israel of an imminent ballistic missile strike.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, the Iranian Ambassador said, “If Israel continues its aggression and violations against Iran’s national interests, it will face repeated strikes.”
He continued by saying, “People not only in the region but around the world are witnessing Israel’s hostile actions in West Asia. The bloodshed in Gaza and southern Lebanon is being seen by everyone. People are angry. Israel has violated all human rights treaties and international laws, and many around the world are outraged by what Israel is doing in the region.”
The Ambassador further expressed his belief that Iran’s missile attack on Israel will receive “support from many people worldwide. We’ve seen how students and citizens across the globe have marched in protest against Israel’s brutality towards Palestine.”
Netanyahu’s Response to Iran’s Missile Attack
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Iran’s missile strike as a “failed attempt,” stating that Israel’s Iron Dome and other defense systems intercepted the majority of the 180-plus missiles, with only a few breaching its defense.
Netanyahu warned, “Iran made a big mistake tonight, and it will pay for it.”
Speaking about Netanyahu, Ambassador Elahi labeled him “the new Hitler of this century.” He added, “If the Hitler of our time ceases his brutality and hostility, his country won’t have to face the consequences.” The Ambassador reiterated that “Iran will continue to retaliate if Israel persists in its actions.”
U.S. Support for Israel
U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed support for Israel, condemning the “provocative escalation” by Iran, according to a White House statement. Biden ordered U.S. military assistance for Israel to defend against further missile attacks. The U.S. has also reportedly warned that it will target the areas from which missiles are launched at Israel.
Commenting on U.S. support, Ambassador Elahi told NDTV, “I hope the United States realizes that if they stop backing Tel Aviv, Israel won’t be able to continue its crimes in the region. I hope the U.S. Administration convinces Netanyahu to stop the brutality.”
He continued, “We’ve seen what America has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and other parts of the world. We believe the U.S. is behind many events that have caused instability in the region.”
“It is now up to Israel—whether they want to continue this escalation or not. If they do, we will keep retaliating,” Elahi said, indicating that the decision lies with “the leaders of Israel.”
India’s Role as a ‘Friend’ of Both Iran and Israel
The Iranian Ambassador emphasized that “India is a very important player in the region. It has good relations with Israel, and as Prime Minister Modi has stated, this is not the era of war. We in Iran believe that too. But if a country’s sovereignty is violated, what choice does it have?”
He expressed hope that “India, which maintains close ties with both Iran and Israel, can help convince Israel to end its brutality in the region.”
