Iran has criticised major international institutions for what it described as their silence over the escalating crisis in the Middle East, accusing them of failing to fulfil their mandate of safeguarding global peace.
Speaking during a media briefing with journalists in Abuja, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, said the lack of decisive action by global bodies has emboldened aggression in the region and weakened confidence in the international security system.
The envoy particularly criticised the United Nations and the European Union, questioning their response to the growing tensions in the region.
According to him, the failure of the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent session on the crisis raises concerns about the credibility of institutions tasked with maintaining global stability.
“The whole region is facing conflict, yet there has been no urgent meeting of the Security Council, no strong reaction and no clear statement,” he said.
“Where is the United Nations? Where is the European Union? These institutions were created to manage global security, but today they are silent.”
The Iranian ambassador argued that the absence of strong diplomatic intervention has created the perception that international institutions are influenced by powerful states, particularly the United States.
He warned that global organisations risk losing legitimacy if they fail to respond impartially to acts of aggression and political assassinations.
“If international bodies remain silent in the face of such developments, they risk losing their credibility,” he said.
The envoy also accused Western powers of pursuing destabilisation policies across the Middle East, pointing to conflicts in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq as examples of broader geopolitical tensions.
He maintained that Iran’s recent military strikes targeting American bases in the region were acts of self-defence following attacks against Iranian leadership.
According to him, the strikes were directed at military facilities and not civilian infrastructure.
“Our response is defensive. We are targeting military installations used against our country,” he said.
The ambassador added that Iran had informed neighbouring Gulf states that its operations would focus on American facilities within their territories rather than their cities.
He warned that the ongoing crisis could have significant implications for the global economy, particularly energy markets.
Mahdavi Raja noted that instability around the strategic Strait of Hormuz could disrupt energy shipments from the Persian Gulf, which carries a large share of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
“Any conflict in this region will inevitably affect oil prices, transportation and the global economy,” he said.
While reiterating that Iran does not seek war, the envoy said the country’s priority remains defending its sovereignty and national security.
He added that responsibility for de-escalation rests with those who initiated the conflict.
Despite the criticism of global institutions, the ambassador said Iran remains committed to regional stability and peaceful coexistence, warning that continued inaction could further deepen tensions across the Middle East.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Follow us on:
