May 19, 2025
By Staff Report
LAHORE
“The United States may request help from Pakistan for potential military operations against Iran, but we hope that Islamabad will not grant them access nor support any action against Tehran,” said Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, while speaking on a current affairs show with senior journalist Munizae Jahangir, on Wednesday night.
Dr. Moghadam said Pakistan’s public and military leadership are well aware that Pakistan itself could become a target of Israeli aggression.
“Israel does not want any power in the region that can challenge its hegemony,” he said. “If it cannot tolerate Hamas, how can it tolerate powerful Muslim states like Iran or Pakistan?”
‘Iran reserves the right to respond’
When asked whether Iran might retaliate against American bases in the region, Dr. Moghadam said Iran has so far refrained from striking U.S. bases because they are located in Muslim countries. However, he warned that if pushed, Iran reserves the right to respond.
He emphasized that Iran expected support from all Muslim nations during this conflict, calling it a shared struggle. “Today, we are the target. Tomorrow, it could be you,” he said.
“China should arm Iran like the US arms Israel”
Commenting on China’s role, the ambassador noted that Beijing has not supplied weapons to Iran so far, but he called on China to reconsider, given that the United States has always worked on arming Israel.
“China knows the real American target is China itself,” he said. “If America arms Israel, then our friends like China should also equip Iran to defend itself.”
Dr. Moghadam also noted that Russia has condemned Israel at every level and supported Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but added, “Every country ultimately acts in its own interest.” Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, recently stated that Iran has not requested any assistance from Moscow.
“With or without victory, we will resist”
Speaking on the US role in the ongoing conflict, the Iranian envoy said Israel could not survive a month without American backing. “The US is supplying Israel with missiles and logistics to attack Iran,” he said.
Reacting to former President Donald Trump’s advice for Iran to surrender, he responded: “Iran stands firm with full strength. Whether we face defeat or victory, we will resist. Dignity matters above all.”
Dr. Moghadam also dismissed Israel’s claims of aerial superiority over Iran, saying, “They may claim control from the skies, but when they come down to the ground, we’ll settle the score.”
“No dialogue while the bombs are falling”
Addressing the possibility of renewed diplomacy, the ambassador said, “If the US believed in negotiations, it would not have started a war. Either they don’t want peace, or they’re using war to force terms—neither will work.”
He added that even the IAEA has confirmed over 15 times that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons. “Trump knows this. But America doesn’t want nuclear clarity—they want to enslave us.”
“Many IAEA inspectors are actually spies”
On Iran’s potential withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Dr. Moghadam said public opinion in Iran strongly supports leaving the treaty. “It hasn’t benefited us. Leaving the NPT doesn’t mean we will build a bomb. But how can we trust IAEA inspectors when many are spies?”
He confirmed that one nuclear reactor on the ground was damaged in recent Israeli strikes but said no radiation had leaked.
“Iran has the most democratic system in the world”
Responding to criticisms of human rights violations and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s calls for regime change, the ambassador said, “Israel shouldn’t lecture us on human rights. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black. Every American president talks about changing Iran’s government, and then comes begging for negotiations,” he remarked. “Ours is the most democratic system in the world—our constitution is made by the people, and even the Supreme Leader is chosen by elected representatives.”
“Reza Pahlavi wants power through Netanyahu’s missiles”
Targeting the exiled son of the former Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi II, Dr. Moghadam said he hopes to return to power using Israeli missiles. “He wants to rule Iran through Netanyahu, one of the most sinister men on earth—but that will never happen.”
In closing, he lauded Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for openly supporting Iran and denouncing Reza Shah II, calling Asif a “hero.”