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The Iranian ambassador to India, in a strongly worded interview, said Tehran had anticipated the US's entry in its conflict with Israel and had prepared accordingly.
Dr Iraj Elahi, Iranian ambassador to India
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 24, 2025 13:22 IST
Iran's ambassador to India said Tehran's attack on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq were unprecedented and warned President Donald Trump that it would not hesitate to act again. In a strongly worded interview with India Today, Dr Iraj Elahi said Iran had anticipated the entry of the US into its conflict with Israel and had prepared accordingly.
"No country, in history, has targeted US military bases. Iran has done it. You can count it as a symbolic response but if the US repeats this unlawful action, it will receive the same response," the Iranian envoy said.
On Monday, Iran launched missiles at US airbases in Qatar and Iraq in response to strikes on three of its key nuclear sites on Saturday. However, most of the missiles were intercepted and there was no major damage.
Hours later, Trump announced that Israel and Iran had negotiated a ceasefire, halting a "12-day war" that left hundreds dead in Tehran as both nations engaged in tit-for-tat strikes.
However, Dr Elahi made it clear that Iran was ready to respond decisively to any further Israeli action.
"(Benjamin) Netanyahu is not reliable. He launched a military aggression against Iran, and he also targeted residential areas, ambulances, hospitals. He did not pay attention to international or humanitarian laws. We are ready to respond to any action by Israel," he said.
Israel justified its June 13 attack on Iran by claiming that it was dangerously close to acquiring nuclear weapons, viewing it as an existential threat.
Dr Elahi, however, emphasised that Tehran was a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and possessed no nuclear weapons.
"Iran is a member of the NPT. Iran does not have any nuclear weapons. The unlawful regime in Israel has attacked Iran under the pretext that Iran has enriched uranium. This is ridiculous. Israel is affecting the stability of the region," he further said.
During the hostilities, Iran had threatened to withdraw from the treaty, which is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
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Published By:
Abhishek De
Published On:
Jun 24, 2025
