Saednews: The Iranian chargé d’affaires in Zagreb said: “We respond to the initiator. We hope the United States is wise and thinks about peace, although the positions of the U.S. president are unstable.”
According to Saed News, Mohsen Ataollahi, Chargé d’Affaires of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s embassy in Zagreb, appeared in a live televised interview with Croatia’s N1 network regarding the brutal attacks of the Zionist regime on Iran.
The full text of the interview is as follows:
Reporter: How is the situation in Iran and Tehran? Tell us about casualties and deaths.
Mohsen Ataollahi: Let me first take this opportunity to thank all my friends and the people of Croatia who have sent many messages of solidarity to me and my colleagues at the embassy during these past days.
As you know, the Israeli regime has attacked us since June 13 through various operations including assassinations, airstrikes, and drone attacks. Nearly 2,000 people have been killed or injured, most of whom were civilians. Several military commanders and eleven scientists and university professors have been assassinated. The people were not prepared for war; no one expected this. Psychologically, we were not ready because there was no reason for war, and because we have always sought peace. But now the people are prepared, united for defense, and opposed to aggression. We believe everything will improve soon.
Reporter: Israel says it attacked Iran because Iran is pursuing the development of an atomic bomb. Is this true?
Ataollahi: Israel’s accusations against Iran are nothing new and have continued for two decades. Israel always accuses Iran of nearing the production of nuclear weapons. The Iranian people are intelligent, so if we wanted to, we would have made one in these two decades. The fact that we do not have a nuclear bomb means we have chosen not to have one. Furthermore, Iran is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all our nuclear activities are under international supervision. No country is under more oversight and inspection than Iran.
If you look at the IAEA director general’s interviews, he himself says there is no sign of systematic Iranian efforts to produce a bomb. The intelligence services of the U.S. and Europe have also said there is no evidence in this regard. This is just an accusation. Also, nuclear bombs and the use of such weapons of mass destruction go against our religious beliefs. The Israelis want, through these accusations and starting a war, to divert the world’s attention away from Gaza, Palestine, and the wave of recognition of Palestine.
Reporter: If what you say is true, then why have you hidden nuclear equipment, and why have you placed it in underground tunnels?
Ataollahi: We foresaw today’s events because we know the nature of the Israeli regime. Even before this attack, Israel had attacked our nuclear facilities several times. If you are logical, you protect them. Investment and cost for nuclear facilities are high, so they must be protected. If it was hidden, then how was it under IAEA supervision and inspection? Why would we allow Israel to easily bomb them?
Israel wants to start a war. But Israelis cannot defend themselves without the help of the U.S. If the crisis continues, they may ask Americans to join them. If that happens, we will pass the point of no return and the war in the region will escalate. This is the actual goal of the Israeli regime. They want the region to be in chaos.
Reporter: Analysts say the Middle East crisis is between Iran and Israel. They say Hamas and Hezbollah would not exist without Iran. They say Iran does not recognize Israel and wants to destroy it, which is the Middle East’s problem.
Ataollahi: The Middle East problem is not the Iran-Israel crisis. The crisis started with the creation of Israel in the Middle East. The problem is Israel’s policies of occupation and depriving the original inhabitants of their rights. Occupation leads to legitimate resistance. Even before Iran’s Islamic Revolution, resistance groups existed in Palestine. Iran has supported legitimate liberation groups. Hezbollah was formed after Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. We must look at the past and the roots of the crisis and find its reasons. The crisis will be resolved when Palestinians own their land and receive their rights.
Reporter: Israel says Iran is behind assassinations.
Ataollahi: The nature of Israel is assassination and occupation. The Palestinian and Lebanese people are not terrorists. If someone comes and takes your land and kicks you out, and you try to get it back, are you a terrorist? This has been the case for 70 or 80 years. We need to sit down and solve the problem. The Gaza issue has been ongoing for two years now. Israel doesn’t even honor its ceasefire agreements. The Palestinian resistance forces are not finished and new generations replace the old ones. So the issue must be solved at its root. We have never attacked Israel; they have always been the initiators and aggressors.
Reporter: What is your view on the role and expectations from Islamic countries, especially Saudi Arabia, in this matter?
Ataollahi: We have very good relations with Islamic countries. Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, have individually and collectively condemned Israel and are making efforts, but it should be better and stronger.
Israel is not just a problem for Iran but for the entire region and other Islamic countries. You have heard the Turkish president’s remarks. Over the years many Islamic countries have not been safe from Israel. Everyone condemns because they know after Iran, it will be their turn.
Reporter: How do you see the future? Will Iran achieve peace?
Ataollahi: The answer is clear. We are currently defending ourselves. According to the UN Charter, we have the legitimate right to self-defense. This is a natural reaction, not only for us but for anyone who is attacked. There is also a possibility of U.S. military involvement. You have seen what our leader has said and what we will do. (Neither imposed peace nor imposed war.)
We respond to the initiator. We hope the U.S. is wise and thinks about peace, although the U.S. president’s positions lack stability. Everyone should try to prevent the war from spreading. Anyway, Iran defends itself. We know Israel cannot defend itself without the U.S. Regarding escalation, this is what Israel wants. The consequences of war are known and affect everyone.
Reporter: Israel says you strike their military positions and you target their civilians. Is that true?
Ataollahi: What do you think? You are a journalist and surely know the truth and have correct news. Of course, today, not all accurate news comes from mainstream media. Social media is active and images are being shared. (Shows photos of civilian victims killed in Israeli attacks.) So who are these people? Were they in military centers? Nearly 300 people have been killed, most of whom were civilians, including dozens of women and children. They do not only hit our military centers. Hospitals, universities, TV centers, people’s homes… so how can they make such claims? Even if they claim they only target military centers, who gave them the right? What authority do they have to attack? For two years, they have done whatever they want in Gaza. No one has been able to stop them in Palestine. They have killed more than 50,000 people, most of them women and children. Yes, and it is ridiculous that the world remains silent.
Reporter: What do you expect from the United Nations?
Ataollahi: We expect them to fulfill their main duty, which is to maintain peace and stability in the world. They have been inactive many times. We have sent them letters and requested emergency meetings. Many countries have cooperated, and we are awaiting results.
Reporter: Have you talked to the Croatian government about this?
Ataollahi: Yes, I have spoken with the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They said they are concerned and monitoring regional developments. They expressed worry, which is good; everyone is concerned. But concern alone is not enough. There must be condemnation and the aggressor must be condemned. However, the Croatian president’s stance yesterday was brave and fair. The Croatian people should be proud of their president, and all European leaders should act like him.
Reporter: Thank you for your time.
Ataollahi: Thank you for having me. Let me add at the end that some believe sometimes starting a war is necessary. But I believe it is not so. We must say sometimes defense is necessary. If there is no attack, there is no defense. So we have no principle based on starting war as necessary. When there is peace, why war? It is the right of all people to live in peace. I wish the people of Croatia peace and security.
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