New Delhi [India], April 6 (ANI): As the West Asia conflict enters its fifth week, Iranian Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali praised New Delhi’s appeal for dialogue and restraint, saying India can play a highly effective role.
In an interview with ANI, he described India’s stance as “commendable and responsible,” and expressed Iran’s expectation that independent, freedom-seeking countries should explicitly condemn what Tehran calls the military and aggressive actions by the US and Israel, which he said have violated Iran’s sovereignty and targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools, universities, hospitals, residential areas, and economic facilities.
Ambassador Fathali said Iran has never sought war and has repeatedly stated it will not initiate conflict. “At the same time, we made it clear that if a war were imposed on us, the management of its end—in terms of timing, scope, and geography—would be in Iran’s hands. What is taking place today is purely legitimate self-defence against external aggression,” he told ANI.
Regarding the US extension of a conditional sanctions waiver for Chabahar port until April 26, Fathali argued that economic and development projects, especially major regional initiatives like Chabahar, should not be hindered by unilateral measures and unlawful sanctions. He called Chabahar “a strategic project of regional and international importance, playing a key role in enhancing regional connectivity, particularly for India’s access to Central Asia.” He said Iran remains in continuous contact with India and hopes cooperation on the project continues without interruption despite external pressures.
On Iran’s strategic, military, and diplomatic position, the ambassador said one important outcome has been the failure of initial objectives held by the opposing side, including expectations such as regime change. He said the war has produced greater cohesion and solidarity among the Iranian people, demonstrating unity in the face of external pressure.
Politically, Fathali pointed to a shift in tone from the US—citing former President Trump’s earlier talk of regime change versus a current focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz—as evidence of miscalculations in US policy and assessment. He asserted Iran has shown it can withstand pressure and alter imposed equations to its advantage, and that Tehran’s adversaries are facing strategic failure in their assessments of Iran’s leadership, people, and military capability.
The ambassador also emphasized BRICS as an important multilateral platform for Iran to expand cooperation with emerging economies and reduce reliance on traditional global structures. He urged BRICS members to take a responsible stance on current developments, condemn what he called “unlawful and criminal actions by the United States and the Zionist regime,” and help uphold international law, counter unilateralism, and reduce tensions.
His comments come amid a developing security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, as the US–Israel and Iran confrontation enters its second month with hostilities affecting civilian, energy, and military infrastructure across the region. (ANI)
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