Envoy Hits Back at Bahrain for Facilitating Attacks on Iran
TEHRAN - An Iranian UN envoy decried Bahrain’s claims at the UN, saying Manama provided its territory, military bases and airspace for an illegal U.S. war of aggression against Iran and warning that Tehran will respond if regional territory is again used to launch hostile attacks.
Ali Karimimaqam, an Iranian diplomat at the United Nations, made the remarks on Monday before the UN Third Committee in response to statements by Bahrain’s representative.
Karimimaqam said Bahrain was speaking about human rights while “turning a blind eye” to the circumstances behind the events. He rejected Bahrain’s portrayal of itself as a victim, saying the country had provided its territory, bases and airspace for an illegal US war against Iran.
Bahrain, which provided its territory for an illegal war against its neighbor, can no longer express surprise and astonishment at the consequences, the Iranian envoy said.
He stressed that Iran had not initiated the attack but had itself come under attack, describing Tehran’s response as “the exercise of its inherent legitimate right.”
Karimimaqam warned that Iran will respond if the territory of any country in the region is used again to carry out an attack against the Islamic Republic.
Addressing Bahrain’s representative, the Iranian envoy said the region faces two choices: “Either we build security together, or we will endure insecurity together.”
The Iranian diplomat said Bahrain had previously chosen the second option, warning that if Manama makes the same choice again, it “should not expect a different outcome.”