From exile in Oman, Aisha Gaddafi says concessions to Western powers led to Libya’s ruin; she praises Iranian resilience under sanctions
LONDON — Aisha Gaddafi, daughter of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has issued a strong public message to the people of Iran, warning them not to trust Western assurances of peace through negotiation.
Speaking from exile in Oman, she drew direct parallels between Libya’s decision to give up its weapons programmes in the early 2000s and the 2011 military intervention led by NATO, which resulted in the collapse of the Libyan state.
Her message, widely circulated on social media platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn, comes at a time of renewed debate over sanctions and nuclear discussions involving Iran and Western governments.
‘A Heart Full of Destruction’
In her statement, Aisha Gaddafi addressed Iranians directly.
“O steadfast and freedom-loving people of Iran! I speak to you from a heart full of destruction, pain, and betrayal,” she wrote. “I am the voice of a woman who witnessed the devastation of her country—not at the hands of open enemies, but after being trapped by the deceptive smiles of the West and its false promises.”
Referring to events before the 2011 intervention in Libya, she recalled the assurances given to her father after he agreed to dismantle Libya’s nuclear and missile programmes.
“They once told my father, Colonel Gaddafi, ‘If you abandon your nuclear and missile programmes, the doors of the world will open for you.’ My father, with good intentions and trust in dialogue, chose the path of concessions. But in the end, we saw how NATO’s bombs turned our land into rubble. Libya was drowned in blood, and its people were trapped in poverty, exile, and destruction.”
In 2011, NATO launched an air campaign in Libya after a United Nations resolution authorised action to protect civilians during the uprising against Gaddafi’s rule. The intervention contributed to the fall of his government. Gaddafi was later captured and killed by rebel fighters. Since then, Libya has experienced prolonged instability and division.
Warning Against Compromise
Aisha Gaddafi used Libya’s experience as a warning against compromise with Western powers.
“I warn you not to fall for the deceitful words and slogans of Western imperialists,” she said. “Giving concessions to the enemy brings nothing but destruction, division, and suffering.”
Using strong imagery, she added: “Negotiating with a wolf will not save the sheep or bring lasting peace—it only sets the date for the next meal.”
Her remarks appear aimed at ongoing international discussions involving Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions imposed by Western countries. No official response from Iranian authorities has been reported in connection with her statement.
Praise for Iranian Resilience
In her message, she praised what she described as Iran’s endurance under sanctions and political pressure.
“My Iranian sisters and brothers, your courage, dignity, and resilience in the face of sanctions, informants, and economic warfare are proof of your nation’s honour and true freedom,” she wrote.
She also referred to other countries that have resisted Western pressure. “History has proven that those who stood firm—from Cuba, Venezuela, and North Korea to Palestine—remain alive in the hearts of the world’s heroes and became immortal in history with honour. And those who surrendered were reduced to ashes, their names forgotten.”
She concluded with a message of solidarity: “Salute to the brave people of Iran! Salute to the Iranian resistance! Salute to global solidarity with the Palestinian people! With love and compassion, Aisha Gaddafi.”
Background and Reactions
Aisha Gaddafi is a trained lawyer and previously served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme before stepping down during the 2011 crisis. Since leaving Libya, she has remained vocal about the events that led to her father’s overthrow and the subsequent situation in the country.
Her latest message has been widely shared online, particularly among voices critical of Western foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa. Supporters describe it as a reminder of Libya’s fate after disarmament, while critics argue that each country’s situation is different and that diplomatic engagement can reduce tensions.
Political observers say the statement reflects broader anti-intervention sentiment in parts of the region. They note that comparisons between Libya’s disarmament in the early 2000s and the current pressure on Iran have been raised before by analysts and political figures.
At the time of publication, there has been no official comment from Iranian authorities on Aisha Gaddafi’s appeal. Western governments have also not responded to her remarks.
Her statement, however, has added a new voice to the debate over sanctions.
