"Netanyahu and Trump's plans have completely failed"
The entry of warships of the United States and its allies into the Strait of Hormuz will increase the level of tension in the region. This was stated to Izvestia by the Iranian Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, recalling that the republic did not block navigation in the waterway. According to the diplomat, during the war with the United States and Israel, Tehran proved that it intends to ensure its interests and security by any means. The building of a new security architecture in the Middle East should take place without the participation of Western countries. Russia can play a significant role in this, the diplomat is sure. In an exclusive interview with Izvestia, Kazem Jalali talks about how the dialogue with Moscow is developing in the context of hostilities and why the United States and Israel were unable to overthrow the government in Iran.
"We need humanitarian aid"
— Russia has sent a shipment of humanitarian aid to Iran. The special board of the Ministry of Emergency Situations provided medicines and medicines with a total weight of more than 13 tons to Tehran. Are Russia and Iran agreeing on new supplies?
— As for humanitarian aid, we received the first shipment through the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. We are grateful to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government. As I understand it, our Russian colleagues are planning to send new shipments of humanitarian aid.
— What volume does Iran currently require from Russia?
— You have seen how the United States and Israel launched a completely unfair war against Iran. Several thousand homes, hospitals and schools were destroyed during the war. A large number of our civilians were also killed. It is clear that we need humanitarian assistance, especially medicines and medical equipment. I think our colleagues from all over the world will send us humanitarian aid as much as possible.
— Does Iran need any support from Russia in rebuilding infrastructure facilities?
— I think that the restoration of infrastructure is a post—war issue. But we maintain very good relations with friendly countries.
— Is there a risk of a humanitarian catastrophe in Iran now due to the shelling by Israel and the United States?
— The war itself is a big disaster. The Americans and Israelis had previously claimed that they were attacking military installations. But in practice, we see that this is not the case at all. You saw how, on the first day of the war, they struck a big blow at a girls' school in the city of Minab in the south of the country. This school is completely destroyed. About 200 civilians were killed there. They are also actively attacking hospitals, and they have recently attacked maternity hospitals. This is a great tragedy for the whole world. They destroy the usual residential buildings and complexes. They are destroying streets and avenues. In this situation, we need to ensure the safety of the streets. To keep moving, we set up roadblocks, but they are also being attacked.
The aftermath of the US-Israeli airstrike on a girls' school in the city of Minab in southern Iran
— Does Iran intend to demand any compensation from the United States and Israel for the attack on the school in Minaba?
— Yes, we have sent our demands to the international legal authorities. But can you name at least one organization that has condemned these crimes [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin]? Netanyahu and the United States? Even before that, they had committed major crimes in the Gaza Strip. The problem today is that international law has been completely destroyed and trampled on. But our Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi actually sends letters and messages to international organizations on a daily basis so that they respond to this.
We need to investigate this crime and the decision to start the war. The aggression against Iran by the United States and Israel was committed for no reason or reason. Why did they decide to implement it? We negotiated with the Americans and lived our lives normally. And in the middle of the negotiations, they attacked us. This is a tragedy and a disaster. The international community must somehow respond and condemn this aggression.
"And today, the Iranian people will single-handedly defeat all enemies"
— What is the current situation in Iran after the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Are there any risks of renewed anti-government protests?
— After the start of the unfair aggression against us, as well as the death of our leader, the society has rallied in a completely unprecedented way. Today we are all united around our new leader. Of course, every society has certain problems. We're not saying we didn't have any problems. But it was the beginning of the aggression of the United States and Israel that threw off all the problems that were between us.
And now our people are angry at the external aggression. Our citizens are holding hands and resisting. This is aggression against a civilization that is many thousands of years old. And the Iranian people have proved that no one from the outside can predict their future actions.
It has been proven to everyone that the plans of Netanyahu and [US President Donald] Trump's plans have completely failed and even backfired. They were counting on some kind of discontent within the Iranian society. Israel and the United States believed that after the death of our supreme leader, society and the government could split, and they would establish a leader they liked. But you saw that they miscalculated. It is right that the citizens took to the streets after the death of our supreme leader. But people came out only in support of our state.
You saw that before the war, based on their calculations, they (the USA and Israel. They thought that in just four days they would be able to capture the whole of Iran. But 16 days have passed, and we are resisting as much as possible. And they couldn't predict all this.
— Iran is retaliating against the territories of Arab countries where American military bases and facilities are located. Many Gulf States practice Sunni Islam. Shiism dominates in Iran. Is the United States now trying to strengthen the split between Sunnis and Shiites?
— Americans have always planned to strengthen the split between societies. They want to make our citizens fight each other. They are still planning to provoke a civil war in Iran. But they failed to come up with one factor — the high level of awareness and understanding of the Iranian people. The Iranian citizens have put down all their differences today. If you talk to any Iranian citizen anywhere in the country, you will understand that they are all united around the integrity of our state.
A few decades ago [ex-President of Iraq] Saddam Hussein waged aggression against us for eight years. Almost the whole world supported Hussein, and we defended ourselves alone. Even then, we won. And today, the Iranian people will single-handedly defeat all enemies. The Iranian people do not pay attention to any grievances or disagreements. Our citizens support the Iranian government and the country. And of course, the victory will be ours.
"It is not necessary to test our will in the matter of protecting our interests"
— How does Iran see the future security architecture in the Middle East and who could be its guarantor?
— The best security architecture is security based on regional arrangements. We've been talking about this for centuries. Unfortunately, some of our neighbors did not listen to this important message. I will tell you, some countries are well aware of this fact, but under pressure from the Americans they cannot express their opinion.
Why is there such aggression against us in order to invite an external aggressor to the region? We understand that they (the United States) have established many military bases throughout the territories of our neighboring states. The question arises: have they built many expensive military bases in these countries, and at their expense (the host countries. — Ed.) the same account, but were they able to ensure their safety? This is already an experience that we are living with today. I think that now we must unite all countries and efforts to preserve regional security, as well as develop a security architecture that takes into account the interests of all regional states. Guarantees should be set by the countries of the region so that they comply with all agreements in this area.
— Should Russia play a significant role in this security architecture in the Middle East?
— Yes, Russia is a regional country. As you know, our Russian colleagues have also released their vision of what the security architecture in the Middle East and specifically in the Persian Gulf should be. We also had an initiative to ensure the security of the Persian Gulf. We can combine all our efforts and views so that we can develop a unified security architecture.
— Does this architecture imply the complete withdrawal of American and European contingents from the Middle East?
— Why should they be in our region? This region does not belong to them. One might wonder if they are ready to invite us to participate in the security issues of their region. The problem is that external forces want to get involved in solving regional processes [in the Middle East].
— Earlier, Donald Trump called on a number of countries, including European ones, to send their ships to the Strait of Hormuz in order to jointly ensure the safety of this sea route. In addition, the media reported that the EU countries are already working on specific initiatives to escort tankers. How do you assess Western countries' attempts to enter the Strait of Hormuz by force?
— Trump invited other countries to come to the region. And most likely, you have seen how the leaders of other countries responded. They reacted completely negatively to this invitation (France, Great Britain, Germany refused the United States to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. — Ed.). The Strait of Hormuz concerns us, and we ensure the security of this Strait ourselves.
Our Foreign Minister also noted an important point in his last interview: we have never blocked the Strait of Hormuz. It's the ships themselves that are afraid of passing through the strait. I will tell you that any approach from the United States and its allies, and in principle any escort, of course, will only increase the level of tension. But if they want to, let them try.
— What consequences can they expect?
— This is our region, not theirs. And it is impossible to ensure his safety by using force. Iran has proved during this war that it will ensure its interests and security by any means. So it's not worth testing our will to protect our interests.
"Iran and Russia cooperate as friendly countries"
— In 2025, Russia and Iran signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. Has Tehran requested any support within it?
— Iran and Russia cooperate as friendly countries. According to all agreements and agreements, we continue to develop our bilateral relations.
Bushehr NPP
— Does the current situation affect the pace of implementation of joint projects with Russia, such as the North–South Nuclear Power Plant, and the construction of the Bushehr and Hormoz nuclear power plants? Has there been a slowdown?
— This is not to say that the war has no effect on these projects. Of course, it can slow down the implementation process a bit. But the two sides are determined to continue everything that was previously agreed. As for the construction of power plants, our Russian colleagues are still at the facilities, and we hope to continue their work. Regarding the North–South corridor, our Russian colleagues are carrying out design and survey work along the entire route of the Rasht-Astara railway. But in principle, the delay of a particular job cannot prevent us from thinking about the future. We are two friendly countries, good and kind neighbors. We have a strategic relationship and naturally we will continue in the same spirit.
— Since March 3, Iran has imposed a total ban on food exports to ensure its own security. This decision affects more than 60% of shipments to Russia. Are there any risks for the sale of a number of food and agricultural products in the Russian Federation?
— Such a ban is temporary. We are now trying to balance these limitations in some way. There is a war going on now, and we must plan well enough to meet domestic needs. A certain part concerns planning for domestic consumption. But this is (a ban. — Ed.) won't be long.
— In February, the grand opening of the Russian House took place in Tehran. Does Iran see prospects for expanding cultural cooperation with Russia?
— I think the main issue in cultural relations is for the two countries to get to know each other well enough. We need to work seriously to ensure that the Iranian people know more about Russia, and the people of Russia know more about Iran. Despite the fact that we are two neighboring countries, we still don't know each other well enough.
So we fully support any development of our relations in the cultural sphere, especially when we host any cultural days, film festivals, exhibitions of art, crafts, and sports events. In addition, there are contacts between our academic centers. So I see a very good horizon for the development of our relations.
— Is Iran ready to provide scholarships for Russian students?
— Yes, we are ready to provide study scholarships to students from Russia.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
