Iran’s UN envoy says US betrayed Gulf diplomacy with ‘stupid’ attack during nuclear negotiations, vows firm defence.

GENEVA: Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva has condemned a recent US military attack as a “totally stupid decision” that betrayed diplomatic efforts by Gulf nations.

Ali Bahreini said the attack, which began last Saturday, came despite “significant progress” in indirect nuclear negotiations held just days earlier.

“War was not our option. War was imposed on Iran,” Bahreini told UN correspondents.

He claimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced US President Donald Trump to “destroy diplomacy” and launch the strikes.

“It was a totally stupid decision. They will know in the future how stupid this decision has been,” the ambassador stated.

Bahreini insisted Tehran had no quarrel with its Gulf neighbours, describing them as friends engaged in daily dialogue.

He said the conflict is not a regional war but a defence against aggression from US bases in the area.

“We cannot ignore the fact that the US bases in their lands are operational against us,” Bahreini explained.

“In no way we can allow those bases to be used to make military operations against Iran.”

The ambassador vowed that Iran would continue its defence until the aggression stops, asserting its operations target only US military assets.

He also denied US claims that Iranian leadership seeks talks, stating “there hasn’t been any contact from our side” since hostilities began.

Bahreini expressed disappointment on behalf of Gulf nations, particularly Oman, which had mediated the recent nuclear talks.

“All our neighbours are now disappointed with the betrayal of the United States because everybody was working for diplomacy,” he said.

“The US betrayed everybody.”

 The Sun Malaysia