Story By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ghana, H.E. Ali Ghomshi, has strongly defended Iran’s recent retaliatory actions against Israel, describing them as a legitimate act of self-defence in accordance with international law.
In a statement issued in Accra on June 18, Ambassador Ghomshi said Iran had no choice but to respond after Israeli forces launched a pre-dawn airstrike on Iranian territory on June 13, killing several civilians and destroying key infrastructure.
Accusations Against Israel
Ambassador Ghomshi accused Israel of “unprovoked and illegal aggression” and described the assault as a “flagrant violation of all international norms and regulations”. He highlighted that the attacks targeted Iran’s peaceful nuclear infrastructure, which he called “reckless and illegal”.
The Ambassador also accused Israel of routinely defying international conventions, pointing out that the country is not a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and refuses oversight from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Call to the International Community
The statement included a pointed call to the United Nations and the broader international community to hold Israel accountable for what Ambassador Ghomshi described as repeated illegal acts of aggression.
“If [member states] truly believe in the principles enshrined in the UN Charter… in the prohibition of the use of force… in the rule of law at the international level… in collective security, then they must act now,” he stated.
Tribute and Determination
Ambassador Ghomshi ended the statement by extending condolences to the victims’ families and hailing the resilience of the Iranian people.
“The memory of each and every one of these dear ones will forever live on in the proud history of Iran,” he said. “Iran remains determined to exercise its right to self-defence, fully protect its sovereignty, citizens, and national security by utilising all its defensive capabilities.”
Background
The Israeli airstrike that prompted Iran’s response marked a major escalation in the already tense relationship between the two long-time adversaries.
According to reports from international agencies, the Israeli bombardment resulted in at least 45 civilian deaths and damaged energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities in the cities of Isfahan and Natanz.
Iran’s response – a series of drone and missile strikes on Israeli military installations – caused extensive damage, though the full scale of casualties on both sides remains unclear.
The situation has reignited concerns about a wider regional conflict, especially as tensions persist in Gaza and the West Bank, where over 36,000 Palestinians are reported to have been killed since October 2023.
Ambassador Ghomshi’s statement came not long after the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana granted an interview on JoyNews defending his country’s actions – a sign of the intensifying diplomatic contest to shape global opinion amid growing calls for de-escalation.
