The envoy describes Iran’s response to the June 13 attack as a ‘measured and lawful’ action taken to defend national security and uphold the principles of international law
NEW DELHI — Iran’s Ambassador to India, Dr Iraj Elahi, has condemned Israel’s military attacks on his country and Palestine as “Unlawful Aggression” and in flagrant violations of international law. He warned that the Western-backed aggression threatens the very foundations of global peace.
It was for the first time that the Iranian envoy spoke at a public meeting on the 12-day Israel-Iran war last month.
Speaking at “Voices of Conscience: A Solidarity Gathering for Palestine” — an event jointly organised by the Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) and the India Palestine Friendship Forum (IPFF) — Dr Elahi framed Israel’s recent strike on Iranian territory as part of a broader pattern of lawlessness and impunity supported by powerful global actors, particularly the United States.
“In today’s world, where signs of aggression have replaced peace and dialogue, the Zionist regime’s June 13 military assault on Iran marked an unprecedented and direct attack on our sovereignty,” Dr Elahi declared. “At the very same time, the United States — despite claiming to support dialogue — targeted Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities. This is not just aggression; it is a blatant breach of the UN Charter and a direct assault on the global rules-based order.”
The ambassador’s remarks came against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli bombardment in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands, many of them children, women and the elderly, and drawn growing international condemnation. While the
main focus of the event was solidarity with Palestinians, Dr Elahi’s intervention drew attention to what he described as an interconnected campaign of Western-supported militarism across the region.
‘We Did Not Beg for Ceasefire’
In a pointed rebuttal to recent international narratives, Dr Elahi stressed that Iran had not sought a ceasefire out of weakness. “We did not beg for a ceasefire,” he said firmly. “We acted under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, invoking our legitimate right to self-defence.”
He described Iran’s response to the June 13 attack as a “measured and lawful” action taken to defend national security and uphold the principles of international law. “This was not an act of hostility, but an affirmation that no country, however powerful, can act above international norms.”
Dr Elahi condemned the role of the United States in the region, stating that its support for Israel’s actions, including the attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, poses a grave threat to the global non-proliferation regime and world peace.
Iran’s Ambassador to India, Dr Iraj Elahi recieving memento at the event “Voices of Conscience: A Solidarity Gathering for Palestine.”
“These acts are not isolated incidents,” he warned. “They are part of a systemic disregard for international law. If left unchecked, they will only fuel further instability and conflict — not only in West Asia but globally.”
He accused the Israeli regime of having a “long-standing record of aggression, occupation, and violation of human rights,” and pointed to the suffering of Palestinian civilians — particularly women and children — as emblematic of a deeper crisis in global governance.
Praise for India’s Civil Society
In a rare and deeply personal note, Dr Elahi expressed gratitude to the Indian people for their solidarity during what he called “the recent 12-day imposed war.”
“I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to the great people of India,” he said. “To its political parties, Members of Parliament, civil society organisations, academics, and social activists — your voices of support, your protest rallies, your statements, and your media campaigns have meant a great deal to the people of Iran.”
Palestinian Ambassador Dr Abdullah M Abu Shawesh recieving memento.
He praised the organisers for hosting what he described as a “prestigious conference” and said such gatherings are essential in “preserving the conscience of the international community.”
“In a turbulent world, your solidarity is a beacon of hope,” Dr Elahi said, adding that the commitment of India’s civil society to justice and peace stands in sharp contrast to official indifference.
Dr Elahi also sought to distinguish Iran’s posture from those of other regional powers. “For Iran, peace is not a political slogan,” he said. “It is a cultural, religious, and national conviction. We have always stood for dialogue, cooperation, and multilateralism. Throughout history, Iran has never initiated a war but has always resisted aggression.”
He urged the international community to return to the path of diplomacy and respect for sovereignty. “Lasting peace will not come through domination and force. It will only come when all nations are treated equally under the law.”
On the occasion, Palestinian Ambassador Dr Abdullah M Abu Shawesh highlighted horror and devastation in Gaza due to Israel’s continued genocidal war. He said that three times more bombs and ammunition were used in Gaza than in World War II, as the whole Gaza Strip has been flattened. He also shed light on the Palestine-Israel conflict from a historic perspective.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind President Syed Sadatullah Husaini speaking at the event.
The event saw the participation of several notable Indian figures, including former Union Ministers Salman Khurshid and Mani Shankar Aiyar, academics such as Prof Apoorvanand and Prof Nandita Narain, former Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind President Syed Sadatullah Husaini, and former MP Mohammad Adeeb.
While the tone of the gathering was sombre, given the death toll in Gaza, it was also charged with urgency and resolve, particularly in light of India’s perceived shift away from its traditional pro-Palestine policy. Several speakers, including Khurshid and Aiyar, criticised the Narendra Modi government’s silence on Israel’s military actions and its growing strategic alignment with Tel Aviv.
Peaceful and Just World
Concluding his remarks, Dr Elahi appealed to the moral consciousness of nations and individuals alike. “The voices of conscience and the solidarity of awakened people around the world are what keep hope alive. In defending truth and justice, you are not only standing with Palestine or Iran — you are standing for a peaceful and just world for all.”
His address received a standing ovation and left a lasting impression on attendees, many of whom described it as a sobering reminder of the global dimensions of the crisis in Gaza — and of the urgent need for international solidarity.
The Iranian and the Palestinian envoys were presented with mementos to acknowledge Tehran’s defiance of injustice and domination and to salute the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people, respectively.
