In a striking commentary, Saeed Khatibzadeh argues that US military action would turn an already volatile situation into chaos, highlighting the complexities of a multifaceted geopolitical crisis.
US Intervention in Israeli-Iranian Conflict Could Worsen Tensions, Warns Iranian Official
US Intervention in Israeli-Iranian Conflict Could Worsen Tensions, Warns Iranian Official
Iran's deputy foreign minister cautions that US involvement would escalate conflict and destabilize the region.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, spoke to BBC News about the looming threat of US involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, warning that such intervention could create "hell for the whole region." Khatibzadeh asserted that this is "not America's war" and cautioned that if President Donald Trump chooses to intervene, he risks being remembered as "a president who entered a war he doesn't belong in."
His remarks followed a recent Iranian missile strike that reportedly targeted military sites adjacent to the Soroka Medical Centre in southern Israel, injuring 71 people according to Israeli health officials. Israel's military responded by targeting Iranian nuclear sites, including the Arak heavy water reactor and the Natanz facility, escalating the already heightened tensions.
The US administration has indicated that Trump will make a decision regarding direct involvement in the conflict within a fortnight. During his interview, Khatibzadeh emphasized diplomacy as the preferred course of action, but insisted that bombing campaigns must cease before negotiations could commence. He framed Iran's retaliatory actions as a form of self-defense, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, and characterized Israel's attacks as unprovoked aggression.
Responding to claims that a nuclear agreement could have prevented the conflict, Khatibzadeh highlighted that Iran had been actively negotiating until Israel’s military actions derailed the discussions. He criticized Trump's messaging as "confusing and contradictory," suggesting that the US has been complicit in stoking tensions.
Reports indicate that the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, has been in touch with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in search of a diplomatic solution, although Iran remains firm that negotiations will not resume until Israel halts its strikes. The situation is further complicated by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) claims that Iran has amassed uranium close to weapons-grade levels, a statement Khatibzadeh vehemently disputed as unfounded speculations that should not justify war.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reiterated the importance of protecting nuclear facilities, emphasizing that they should never be attacked under any circumstances. Khatibzadeh also expressed optimism about prospective diplomatic discussions following a recent G7 summit, signaling a possible return to dialogue among European nations. As both nations remain on high alert, the path to resolution appears increasingly fraught with challenges.
