The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ghana, H.E. Ali Ghomshi, has strongly defended Iran’s recent retaliatory actions against Israel, describing them as a legitimate act of self-defence in accordance with international law, following what he termed an “unprovoked and illegal aggression” by the Israeli regime.
In a forcefully worded statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, June 18, and copied to Myjoyonline, Ambassador Ghomshi said Iran had no choice but to respond after Israeli forces launched a pre-dawn airstrike on Iranian territory on Friday, June 13. The attack, which occurred as Iranians were preparing for a national celebration, killed several civilians, including women and children, and destroyed key infrastructure in densely populated areas.
“The world witnessed once again a military aggression, in violation of all international laws and principles, targeting densely populated cities, residential areas, civilians, urban infrastructure, including energy supply facilities, as well as the peaceful nuclear facilities of our country,” the statement read.
Ambassador Ghomshi described the assault as “a flagrant violation of all international norms and regulations,” particularly highlighting that the attacks targeted Iran’s peaceful nuclear infrastructure—a move he called both reckless and illegal.
“We did not start this war; rather, it was imposed on us through aggressive actions against our country’s territorial integrity,” he stated, accusing Israel of sabotaging Iran’s readiness for a new round of negotiations aimed at addressing global concerns about its nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions.
He said Iran’s military response, which he characterised as “fierce,” was conducted with “all our own capacities and with the help of God the Almighty,” and would be sustained “resolutely” for as long as necessary.
“Our response to the Zionist regime is legitimate defence in accordance with international law, with reason, and with human logic,” he insisted.
Accusations Against Israel
The Ambassador accused Israel of routinely defying international conventions, pointing out that the country is not a signatory to critical treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and refuses oversight from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“This regime… possesses nuclear weapons, and openly threatens other countries with their use, [and] should never imagine itself in a position to act as a guarantor of global order or to attack the peaceful nuclear facilities of an NPT member state,” he said.
He further linked the Israeli military action against Iran to what he described as ongoing war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“We must not forget the crimes currently unfolding in the West Bank and Gaza, simply because another act of aggression is taking place,” he added.
Ambassador Ghomshi condemned what he called the silence and complicity of some Western governments, particularly the United States, saying:
“It is unimaginable that such aggressions and crimes by the Israeli regime could have taken place without the approval and full support of certain Western governments, including the United States of America.”
Call to the International Community
The statement included a pointed call to the United Nations and the broader international community to hold Israel accountable for what he described as repeated illegal acts of aggression.
“If [member states] truly believe in the principles enshrined in the UN Charter… in the prohibition of the use of force… in the rule of law at the international level… in collective security, then they must act now,” he stated.
Ambassador Ghomshi sharply criticised what he described as “ambiguous statements” from the UN and Western nations that place equal blame on Iran and Israel.
“Statements that equate the aggressor with the country under attack and ask Iran to exercise restraint are nothing but hypocrisy, nothing but irresponsibility,” he asserted.
Tribute and Determination
He ended the statement by extending condolences to the victims’ families and hailing the resilience of the Iranian people.
“The memory of each and every one of these dear ones will forever live on in the proud history of Iran,” he said. “Iran remains determined to exercise its right to self-defence, fully protect its sovereignty, citizens, and national security by utilising all its defensive capabilities.”
Background
The Israeli airstrike that prompted Iran’s response marked a major escalation in the already tense relationship between the two long-time adversaries. According to reports from international agencies, the Israeli bombardment resulted in at least 45 civilian deaths and damaged energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities in the cities of Isfahan and Natanz.
Iran’s response — a series of drone and missile strikes on Israeli military installations — caused extensive damage, though the full scale of casualties on both sides remains unclear. The situation has reignited concerns about a wider regional conflict, especially as tensions persist in Gaza and the West Bank, where over 36,000 Palestinians are reported to have been killed since October 2023.
Ambassador Ghomshi’s statement came not long after the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana granted an interview on JoyNews defending his country’s actions — a sign of the intensifying diplomatic contest to shape global opinion amid growing calls for de-escalation.