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Iran pledges continued retaliation if attacks persist
Iran will maintain its right to defend itself if aggression from the U.S. and Israel continues, the country's ambassador to the UK told the BBC on Sunday. The warning follows a week of escalating strikes across the Middle East, which have disrupted multiple nations and drawn widespread condemnation.
Ambassador outlines conditions for de-escalation
In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Seyed Ali Mousavi stated that Iran is willing to avoid striking its neighbors but reserved the right to target military bases across the region. "If facilities or properties or bases are used against the Iranian nation, they will be considered legitimate targets," he said.
Mousavi emphasized that Iran's response hinges on the actions of the U.S. and Israel. "If the aggression... continues, there is no doubt we will defend ourselves," he added. "If they use these military bases, we will respond accordingly."
Regional fallout from escalating conflict
Over the past week, Iran has launched strikes on Gulf nations, including Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, as well as an RAF base in Cyprus. The U.S. and Israel have also conducted operations, marking a significant expansion of hostilities. Countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Iraq have also been affected.
In a rare public gesture, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to Gulf neighbors on Saturday, pledging to halt attacks. However, Mousavi's remarks suggest Iran's broader military posture remains unchanged.
Diplomatic overtures amid historic tensions
The BBC interview took place at Iran's embassy in London, a site with symbolic weight. In 1980, the building was the scene of a violent siege by Iranian dissidents opposed to Ayatollah Khomeini, which ended with SAS commandos storming the premises. Nineteen hostages were freed, though one died and two were injured.
Mousavi, speaking beside a banner of Iran's supreme leader-who was killed last week-reiterated that Iran's actions were defensive. "We are not trying to endanger citizens or prolong the war unnecessarily," he said. Yet, Western officials view Iran's strikes as indiscriminate, complicating efforts to de-escalate.
Iran rejects U.S. demands, war enters second week
The ambassador dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for Iran to surrender, framing the conflict as a response to external aggression. While Iran has apologized for disruptions to neighboring countries, Mousavi made clear that the apology does not signal an end to hostilities.
The full interview will air on BBC One at 09:00 GMT on Sunday.
