Iranian ambassador warns UK to be ‘very careful’ about further involvement in war
Iranian Envoy Cautions UK on Escalating Role in Regional Conflict
The Iranian envoy in London, Seyed Ali Mousavi, has issued a strong caution to the UK, urging it to tread carefully in its potential participation in ongoing military actions. During an exclusive interview with BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg, Mousavi stated that Iran would assert its right to self-defense if the UK directly engaged in U.S.-Israel coalition strikes targeting Iranian interests.
“The British government and others must act with precision and restraint,” Mousavi emphasized, highlighting Iran’s readiness to retaliate against any aggression.
Despite the UK’s approval for the U.S. to use its bases for defensive operations against Iranian targets, the country has not yet launched any direct attacks. The ambassador noted this as a positive step, acknowledging the UK’s avoidance of “this aggression” and suggesting that lessons from the 2003 Iraq invasion have influenced British policy.
Regional Impact of Escalating Strikes
Recent aerial attacks across the Middle East have caused widespread damage, affecting multiple nations. Mousavi reiterated that Iranian facilities, properties, and bases targeted by adversaries would be deemed “legitimate targets” under the right to self-defense. While Gulf states like Qatar and the UAE have reported intercepting Iranian missiles, the conflict has continued to spread, with strikes hitting Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, and an RAF base in Cyprus.
Following the Iranian president’s apology to regional neighbors on Saturday, Mousavi clarified that Iran remains committed to its military response. “As long as attacks persist, our defense will follow,” he asserted, emphasizing the link between U.S. and Israeli actions and Iran’s retaliatory measures.
Historical Context at the Embassy
The ambassador’s decision to speak with the BBC coincided with the president’s public acknowledgment of the conflict’s toll. This move marked a rare openness from Iran, particularly given the embassy’s storied history. Located near London’s Hyde Park, the building is tied to a 1980 siege where five Iranian militants were killed by SAS commandos, ending a dramatic standoff that freed 19 hostages but left one fatality and two injuries.
The siege involved a dissident Iranian group opposed to Ayatollah Khomeini, underscoring the complex relationship between Iran and Western powers. Mousavi, positioned beside a banner of the supreme leader, reiterated Iran’s stance: retaliation is a direct response to U.S. and Israeli aggression, not an effort to widen the conflict.
While the president’s apology has softened some regional tensions, critics within Iran argue it lacks resolve. The ambassador, however, framed the attacks as necessary, insisting that Iran’s actions are aimed at countering threats rather than causing unnecessary harm. His remarks reaffirmed that the country will not relent in targeting U.S. military installations or Israeli facilities in the region as long as hostilities continue.
