ISLAMABAD:
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has come down hard on Israel and its Western allies for “unprovoked” and “illegal” aggression against Iran, warning that the West’s double standards and disregard for diplomacy have pushed the region toward dangerous escalation.
In a wide-ranging interview with Iran’s official news agency IRNA, conducted in Islamabad, Asif lashed out at both the United States and the Zionist regime, accusing them of dismantling diplomatic avenues and fuelling regional instability through repeated violations of international law.
“Unlike Iran, the Westerners have destroyed the opportunity for diplomacy and are the cause of the beginning of the aggressions of the Zionist regime and the United States,” he said, adding that Iran’s conduct had remained “very constructive” throughout.
Pointing out the “hypocrisy” of global nuclear oversight bodies, Asif criticised the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying its track record was tainted by bias and inconsistency.
“A regime that is not even a member of the NPT and there is no monitoring and inspection of its nuclear arsenals, can do anything and has the authorisation to carry out any aggression and attack on Palestine, Gaza, Yemen and now against Iran,” he said, referring to Israel’s exemption from the scrutiny faced by others.
“All these countries are the targets of these deliberate and reckless actions of Tel Aviv, which is not held accountable by the IAEA,” he added.
The defence minister said Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, and the American backing of those attacks, had grossly violated international norms.
He called the attacks “terrorist” in nature and accused the US of committing “aggressive crimes” by striking Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“These actions,” Asif said, “are contrary to international law, the UN Charter and humanitarian norms”.
Expressing concern over the growing volatility in the region, Asif observed that Tehran had consistently pushed for diplomacy, while it was the opposing side that walked away from negotiations.
“I think the situation has escalated to a dangerous level, especially over the past few weeks when Iran continuously emphasised the need for negotiations and participation in this entire process, and that the Iranians have never left the negotiating table,” he said.
“Iran has never initiated the war, but both the destruction of diplomacy and the initiation of the war were carried out by the other side (America and Israel), which led to the illegitimate aggression of Israel against the nation,” he added.
The minister pointed out that Iran had always favoured engagement, despite provocations.
“It is ridiculous that the West always wants Iran to return to the negotiating table, because the Iranians did not leave the negotiating table, but have always demanded interaction and negotiations,” he said.
He noted that even while Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi was holding talks with European counterparts, another act of aggression was launched against Tehranshowcasing a pattern of undermining peace efforts.
Asif argued that Israeli aggression had crossed borders and was now being directed squarely at Iran, which he described as a “planned conspiracy”.
“Israel’s continued aggression against Palestinians had now reached Iran,” he said, “calling it a conspiracy planned and implemented by the Zionist regime.”
Backing Tehran’s alignment with the Palestinian cause, Asif said, “Iranians stand with Palestine, and this is never a crime.”
