Iran Blames Israel for Using Nuclear Program as Pretext for Attacks; Calls for Global Solidarity with Palestine

 Iran Blames Israel for Using Nuclear Program as Pretext for Attacks; Calls for Global Solidarity with Palestine

At a recent seminar held in New Delhi, Iranian Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi strongly condemned Israel’s recent missile attacks on Iran, calling them a clear violation of international law. Speaking to an engaged audience at the event titled “Voices of Conscience: A Solidarity Gathering for Palestine”, Elahi asserted that Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities are being misrepresented and used as an excuse for aggression.

According to Elahi, the attacks came at a time when the Iranian government was preparing for the sixth round of diplomatic talks regarding its nuclear program — a program Iran has long maintained is peaceful in nature. "Just as we were taking steps toward dialogue and diplomacy, Israel launched missiles against us,” he said. “This is not just provocative, it’s a blatant disregard for international norms and a threat to regional stability.”

Elahi didn’t stop there. He accused Israel of having a long and violent history, dating all the way back to its establishment in 1948. “The Israeli regime has always resorted to aggression to maintain its dominance in the region,” he said, emphasizing that Tehran sees these strikes as part of a broader pattern of hostility, not an isolated act.

Joining him on stage was Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah M Abu Shawesh, who echoed Elahi’s concerns and broadened the conversation. Speaking passionately about the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people, Shawesh called for global solidarity, urging citizens and governments alike to view the Palestinian cause as a humanitarian issue, not just a political one.

“The cause of Palestine is the cause of our shared humanity,” he said, drawing applause from the audience. He emphasized that the suffering in Gaza and the West Bank isn’t just a regional concern but a matter that speaks to the conscience of the entire international community.

The seminar was organized by Indian Muslim for Civil Rights and the India Palestine Friendship Forum. Activists, students, intellectuals, and community leaders gathered at the venue to discuss the escalating violence in the Middle East and express solidarity with those affected. The event also aimed to highlight the growing frustration among nations like Iran and Palestine over what they see as the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable.

Speakers at the event didn’t mince words when criticizing the global response to Israeli actions, particularly from Western powers. Many called out the perceived double standards in how the international community treats acts of aggression depending on who the perpetrator is.

The atmosphere in the hall was charged but reflective, as audience members listened to stories of loss, resilience, and calls for peace. Various speakers, including Indian civil society members, emphasized the importance of standing up for justice, regardless of borders or religion.

As tensions remain high in the Middle East, voices like those of Elahi and Shawesh are becoming increasingly urgent. Their message at the Delhi seminar was clear: lasting peace in the region cannot come without fairness, accountability, and respect for international law — values they believe are currently being undermined.

The event ended with a strong call to action, urging the international community, particularly India, to take a more vocal and principled stance on the issues in Iran and Palestine, and to push for peaceful solutions rooted in justice and mutual respect.