In an interview with TV N1, CNN exclusive news channel affiliate, Khatibzadeh has elaborated on Iran's response to the Zionist regime's crime in attacking the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, criticizing the UN Security Council and international organizations for not condemning the Zionist regime.
The translation of the Iranian ambassador’s interview published by Iranian media is as follows:
Host: Can you explain to us why this attack happened? Of course, I have read what your government has said. But can you give me some deeper explanations and reasons?
Khatibzadeh: Actually, it was a self-defense and a response, that is, a defensive attack. Iran really had no other choice. We carried out this attack because we had no other options. No country in the world can compromise on its security or agree to jeopardize the security of its citizens. When it comes to the Israeli regime, that is, the regime that attacks Iran’s diplomatic building and martyrs senior military commanders who fight against terrorist groups at the invitation of the host government, then there is really no other choice but to react. Especially since we actually used all diplomatic tools to prevent it from reaching this point. We asked the Security Council, we asked all countries to condemn this attack by the Israeli regime and take a practical action. But you know what happened! Absolute inaction in the Security Council, America, Britain and France practically blocked any possibility.
Host: True, but how do you see this situation? So why is this silence established? You requested to condemn this attack?
Khatibzadeh: The Israeli regime has been supported by some in Europe and America for decades. See what is happening in Gaza. 35 thousand Palestinians were slaughtered by the most brutal regime in the supposedly civilized world, 70% of them are women and children and 90% are civilians. Also, the international forces that came to help, hospitals, kindergartens, schools and…
Host: There is definitely a humanitarian crisis there…
Khatibzadeh: Yes, but the important thing is that this regime actually got a blank check from the West and got permission to do all this, and that is why it continues its crimes. For this reason, this regime has reached the false belief that it can bully all the people and countries of the region and no one will respond. Iran actually carried out this legitimate attack because it wants to prevent these crimes, the escalation of tension, and the possibility of another war, it was for peace.
HOST: Do you think this will lead to a de-escalation because Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Twitter that Israel will win after the attack? Are you afraid of the response and escalation of a regional war with global consequences?
Khatibzadeh: We should see what the word “victory” means in his lexicon. Netanyahu always wanted to win with the blood of American soldiers and the money of American and Western taxpayers. To know his intended victory, just look at what is happening in Gaza. Everyone around the world, even Western countries, say that this collective punishment is the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. International organizations called this genocide. But they say this is victory. Victory especially for them, especially for Mr. Netanyahu, is to stay in power at any cost, and the price is people’s lives. But this is not a victory, it is a collective failure of the international community in stopping this most hated regime, which is the shame of the civilized world, you must know that deterrence must be created to deal with such a regime, and Iran had no choice but to restore deterrence. Without such deterrence, war is more likely at any moment.
HOST: I understand, but do you think Israel will react and lead to a regional war? What can we expect now?
Khatibzadeh: The risk is always high. Human stupidity knows no bounds when it comes to a person like Netanyahu and his regime. When they attacked the diplomatic mission of Iran, they did an extremely stupid thing. I cannot speak for them, but I can speak on behalf of my respective government. We are 100% ready. If there is an attack, we will react immediately, comprehensively, and decisively. You see, we reacted to the attacks on our embassy, but…
HOST: We will return to the subject of the future although we live in challenging times now. What do you think about the future?
Khatibzadeh: I was saying that Iran’s defense response was controlled and limited…
HOST: Do you know the price can be high?
Khatibzadeh: Yes, I will go back to what you asked me. But first, let me tell you something. Iran’s response was calibrated and limited to only two military locations.
HOST: It was a message, right?
Khatibzadeh: It was a message with a limited, calculated, precise, and proportionate operation. We really didn’t want to cause any casualties. We just wanted to give the necessary strategic message, which we did. We gave them time to show that they couldn’t intercept all the weapons which happened to be simple. We announced that we will not target civilians. We talked to our neighbors in the area. Our foreign minister went from capital to capital in the region. We sent a message to America through the third channel that we will attack. We gave a ten-day opportunity and then we took this defensive action and told them that we would only target the two bases that attacked our embassy and we did. We were completely successful in reaching the goal of the operation. We accomplished our mission. We do not want further escalation. We immediately sent a letter to the United Nations, which we believe has received no response. They attacked us, we reacted. That was it.
Host: What the future holds for the region ?
Khatibzadeh: There is always a risk of global consequences. If something happens, there will be an all-out war. Iran did not want to surprise anyone. But in the future if the regime is adventurous, the response is huge. With Saturday night’s operation, we sent a message not only to Israel, but also to the United States and others: Iran has both the power and the will to defend itself.
HOST: I don’t think that America and the UK will support Israel in retaliatory attacks and hypothetical defense. What do you think? Everyone looks concerned. Does everyone hope for peace?
Khatibzadeh: I am a diplomat and a pacifist. I love peace and I fight for peace and the last thing our region needs is war. But if there is an attack, we will fight back. Britain, America, and France helped Israel against Iran's operations. We ignored it. But if there is an attack by Israel and these countries or any other country wants to deal with them, then without a moment of hesitation, we will use all our available tools to counterattack and will do everything to respond to that terrorist regime.
Host: Let’s talk about what Let’s talk about Gaza. Israel, of course, is doing what we are seeing because of the October attacks. What do you think when Israel says it defends itself? And what do you think about Hamas?
Khatibzadeh: They defend themselves?! They killed 35 thousand people. This is not a defense. In the vocabulary of the Israeli regime and some of its blind companions, some concepts are used in their most improbable sense. Defense does not mean killing 35 thousand people. Mass punishment of innocent people is not self-defense, but aggression. We are not talking about the victim here, we are talking about the occupier. The helpless Palestinians are forced to live in absolute poverty every day, with neither food nor water. Can you imagine that?
The criminal Netanyahu will do anything to stay in power. He knows that as soon as he leaves power, his political life will end. He is going all out to stay in power. The international community, especially the United States, which is the main supporter of the Israeli regime, has a responsibility to stop it now. Restraint has requirements. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Do you want restraint? You must stop the criminals. By the way, 7/10 was not the beginning of the history of the Israeli regime. They have been waging bloody wars in the Middle East for 70 years. They are the root of all problems in the Middle East. They have this Zionist ideology to show Palestinians as non-human in order to kill them and deprive them of their right to self-determination, which is not acceptable by any standards. Everyone has an immediate and direct responsibility to prevent this.
Host: They say that Hamas uses people as human shields to create solidarity. What do you think?
Khatibzadeh: The numbers themselves are your answer. Just do an internet search. The first thing you’ll see on Google is that over 35,000 civilians were killed. 70% of them are children and women. This means they are using that massacre strategy and the human shield is an excuse. Just look at the pictures of people being killed. Bulldozers are sent to those who mourn their dead butchered by the regime. They go to the cemetery with a bulldozer to exhume the dead bodies to show them that if there is another attack, everyone will be killed. We are not talking about a regular regime. Everyone has closed their eyes.
Host: Of course not everyone...
Khatibzadeh: I know that public opinion is against Israel, but everyone in the Security Council sits and prevents the possible action of the United Nations, I mean this.
HOST: There are different positions in the European Union. I watched an interview with Pedro Sanchez in Al Jazeera a few days ago about how he is trying to convince some European leaders to recognize the Palestinian state. In your opinion, is a two-state solution even possible now or in the future? How can this happen? I ask you this because I think your government has at some point talked about a potential peace conference. But Hamas must also be at the negotiating table. I don’t know if I misunderstood something.
Khatibzadeh: You are right. We need peace, but we need a just and inclusive peace that includes all the original inhabitants of the Palestinian land. I doubt that the Israeli regime is ready for a referendum in which all the original inhabitants of Palestine will participate in the future and political structure of that country. But this is the only path that will actually lead to a lasting and stable solution for peace in Palestine. We need peace and quiet. This region needs stability and peace, but a just peace. It means you have to include all those who have been denied their basic rights. This is my opinion.
HOST: In your opinion, is the peace conference possible with this current Israeli government?
Khatibzadeh: I doubt it. It is actually a rogue regime and has actually shown that it doesn’t even listen to Washington. They only seek and want a purely Jewish state, and that means it does not include all Palestinians. You see these settlements, the isolation of the Palestinians, the daily humiliation of the Palestinians. See, they are second class citizens and that’s what we’re seeing now.
HOST: With this Israeli government, the most right-wing faction ever ruling the country, do you really doubt that such a thing is possible? What about the recognition of Palestine?
Khatibzadeh: A strong message must be sent. Regardless of who makes the decisions in the regime. They must understand that the entire international community demands this. The beginning can be with the recognition of Palestine by Americans and European countries, and it can be a good start. But the basic principle now is that the genocide in Gaza must be stopped immediately. If the Israeli regime stops killing Gaza today, we can think about the next step. Netanyahu is doing everything to divert our attention from the issue of Palestine and Gaza. Maybe that’s why he attacked Iran’s diplomatic mission.
By doing this, perhaps he violated all international conventions precisely because he wanted to divert attentions from Gaza. Everyone should focus on the main problem which is Palestine and Gaza. This should be the main focus of all of us. Iran said its mission was accomplished. You attacked us and this is how we reacted. Now let’s return to the solution of the Palestinian problem. Maybe Netanyahu wants to continue his personal desires and save his personal situation. We are witnessing that he will do this at any cost. The people in the occupied Palestine, whether they are Jews, Christians, or Muslims, are victims of this extremely hated far-right government. Everyone is a victim of this Israeli regime.
HOST: In your opinion, can the release of the hostages lead to negotiations?
Khatibzadeh: Iran is trying to reach a permanent solution and so are some Arab countries, especially Qatar. We all try to stop this pain of the Palestinian people forever. I say again that we do not see promising signals from this far-right regime in Israel. They should decide themselves and those who support Israel should play a more constructive role to end the current situation.
HOST: Last question, the election silence continues in Croatia today. How do you see good communication and relationships? Can the relations between Croatia and Iran improve at this time?
Khatibzadeh: I really like your country very much. Iran was the first Asian and Muslim country to recognize Croatia. We were with you during the Patriotic War, when your country was invaded. Everyone knows how Iran stood by you. It was not just political. We provided you with military equipment then, even when NATO countries did not send you that equipment, and that is a solid foundation for other bilateral relations in the future.
Of course, we understand Croatia’s foreign policy. You are a member of NATO and the European Union, and we can congratulate you on all your successes and all you have achieved. But the most important issue is maintaining relations based on these strong foundations that have been formed between Croatia and Iran. There are historical relations between our peoples. We have more than 3000 words in common between Croatian and Persian languages. I expect and hope that we can maintain and develop our bilateral relations and free them from third party influence. Our bilateral relations are very important and I think we can have relations that are based on mutual respect and benefit both nations.
HOST: When I was a child, Iranians came to study and live in the former Yugoslavia. Do you know anything about it? Many of them did not leave.
Khatibzadeh : Yes. There is a significant and respectable Iranian community which have expanded their stay since then. This community has contributed a lot to its host country. People-to-people relations are important here, not just diplomatic relations. I know that these people are very important to strengthen our relations and hope that we will see an increase in this wonderful interaction between our two nations in the future.
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