L’ambassador of the Islamic Republic in France, Mohammad Amin-Nejad, gave an interview to TF1 from his embassy in Paris.
- He assures that he does not believe in a quick end to the conflict and justifies the strikes on Israel and neighboring countries.
Behind the walls of the Iranian embassy on Avenue d’Iéna in the heart of the 16th arrondissement of Paris, a team from the 8pm news was able to meet Mohammad Amin-Nejad. The Iranian ambassador to France agreed to answer questions from Michel Scott, a rare official voice from the Islamic Republic since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East.
Right from the start, he highlighted two images in the report seen at the top of the article that, according to him, have marked global opinion: the bombing of a school on the first day of the war, and the deaths of 80 sailors on a frigate torpedoed by the Americans. “These are two specific moments that have deeply affected Iranians, as well as public opinion worldwide,” he says.
We are the first to wish for the end of the war, the end of military attacks – Mohammad Amin-Nejad, Iranian ambassador to France
On Wednesday, April 1, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had requested a ceasefire. This announcement was subsequently denied by Tehran. However, Mohammad Amin-Nejad does not believe in a quick end to the conflict. “We are the first to wish for an end to hostilities, the end of the war, the end of military attacks,” the ambassador assures, before posing a question: “If they think their conditions are met, what is the reason to continue bombing residential areas, economic infrastructure, and energy facilities in the country if they have achieved their goal?”
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guards continue to target Israel and some neighboring countries. “Once there is a threat, it is obvious that our armed forces, our people, defend themselves,” says the Iranian diplomat, emphasizing that Israel and U.S. military bases in the region are targeted and that the regime “has shown that it is ready to allow passage (in the Strait of Hormuz) to those who have not participated in the military aggression.”
We could be against the high cost of living… but were we in favor of a foreign invasion? – Mohammad Amin-Nejad, Iranian ambassador to France
Regarding internal repercussions, Mohammad Amin-Nejad believes that the Israeli-American bombings have had the opposite effect to what Washington intended. “More than 113,000 homes and apartments have been destroyed in Iran,” he says. And he analyzes the shift in public opinion: “We could be against the high cost of living, against currency exchange rates… But were we in favor of a foreign invasion?”
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In reference to the massive protests in early January against the regime, which led to the deaths of thousands of opponents. Figures disputed by the regime, which the ambassador dismisses: “There was no bloodbath. But you can claim it.”
On the remaining hope for opposition, his response is more nuanced: “In my opinion, what remains is a very, very deep regret. And for us, and for the people. The people see that it was just a pretext.”
