SAEDNEWS: Britain played a behind-the-scenes role in driving anti-Iran positions at the 21st Manama Dialogue Conference in Bahrain, Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser on international affairs to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said.
According to Saednews, In an interview , Ali Akbar Velayati responded to questions regarding controversies and anti-Iran remarks made at the Manama conference, held from October 31 to November 2 in Bahrain.
Velayati emphasized that Iran has never treated its neighbors with hostility throughout its long history, noting that “Iran has always maintained friendly relations with the Arab sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf, and the smaller states have always received Iran’s support.” He added that whenever neighboring countries or Persian Gulf nations faced difficulties, Iran has stepped in to assist.
Highlighting Iran’s millennia-long civilization and its influence on human development, Velayati stressed that historical records provide numerous examples of Iran’s longstanding commitment to good neighborliness.
Regarding the Manama conference itself, Velayati said the meetings were first held in 2004 under the organization of the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. This year’s forum focused on West Asian issues and included participation from officials from Jordan, the UK, Bahrain, Oman, Greece, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Syria, Palestine, Cyprus, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Romania, a European Union representative, several US officials, and a NATO representative.
Velayati noted that the discussions centered on Sudan, Iran, and the “axis of resistance.” While some states criticized Iran’s regional policies, others, such as Oman, defended the country. He also accused the UK of orchestrating the events at the Manama conference, describing Britain as a declining power, once claiming “the sun never set on its dominions,” now living in humiliation.
On Britain’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war, Velayati characterized London as an instigator aiming to prevent Russia from strengthening as a major European rival. He said Britain supplied Ukraine with military equipment, encouraged NATO intervention, and drove Ukraine’s push for NATO membership, with some European countries following its lead. According to Velayati, Britain effectively led Ukraine into a “deep pit” without offering real assistance, pressuring the US and European countries to participate, citing Germany’s initial refusal to supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as an example of British influence.
Velayati also reflected on former US President Donald Trump’s tenure, noting that America acted more independently of Britain during his administration, humiliating the UK on several occasions, including at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit. He explained that Trump weakened NATO’s capabilities by requiring European countries to bear their own defense costs, undermining Britain’s prior strategies and limiting its influence in international matters such as the Gaza ceasefire.
He asserted that Britain is now attempting to restore its political prestige through any means, including the Manama conference, criticizing Western and Arab officials for overlooking ongoing Israeli crimes and breaches of ceasefires in Gaza while focusing criticism on Iran, which he described as the region’s main supporter of Palestine, resistance movements, and peace.
Velayati also condemned governments that criticized Iran while supporting division, violence, and terrorist operations in Sudan and Yemen, resulting in mass displacement and starvation. He noted that some of these governments admitted at the conference that their actions had been mistaken.
He emphasized that countries and individuals armed with British weapons who enable massacres have no authority to question Iran’s peaceful regional presence. He described anti-Iran statements by Britain and its allies as baseless, underscoring Iran’s historical strength and recent military capabilities, which he said have forced the Zionist regime, the US, and NATO to accept defeat.
Velayati concluded that Iran’s pride lies in supporting the oppressed and pledged continued support for Muslims in Gaza and resistance forces in Lebanon and Yemen. He warned that those who ignore these crimes and cooperate with Israel, Britain, or the US “will be recorded in history as enemies of Islam and partners in the killing of Muslims.”
