Not ‘vague statement’, Bangladesh should ‘condemn’ aggression, says Iranian envoy

Iran feels hurt with the two statements issued by the Bangladesh government after the US and Israeli attacks in Iran, Iranian Ambassador to Dhaka Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi has said.

On Wednesday, the envoy said at a press briefing that Tehran expects “condemnation” from Dhaka rather than such “vague statements”.

At the press conference, the ambassador said, “We have some concerns regarding the statements Bangladesh has issued so far on this matter.

“When we see that countries like Spain and many other European nations, and even people within the United States are holding massive demonstrations, and officials there are directly condemning this war, we expect Bangladesh not to issue ambiguous statements but to take a clear position.”

He added, “We consider Bangladesh a close friend and brother. We want our relationship to become more beautiful and smoother, and for both countries to support each other in progressing bilateral ties.

“The statements that have been released only express concern, whereas it is clear that the United States has taken an aggressive role here. Any act of aggression deserves condemnation. Therefore, we expect a clear condemnation.”

Following the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran on Feb 28, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, the new government issued two statements that differ from Dhaka’s previous stance. Earlier, Bangladesh had condemned almost all Israeli attacks on Iran through official statements.

In the first statement issued on Mar 1, Dhaka did not condemn the joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran.

The statement also did not mention the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the attack.

In the foreign ministry’s statement, while Bangladesh condemned violations of sovereignty of Middle Eastern countries, seven countries were mentioned, but Iran was excluded.

That statement by Bangladesh aligns with the positions of US allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as well as some affected Middle Eastern countries.

Amid criticism of that statement, the following day the foreign ministry issued another statement expressing that it was “deeply saddened” by the death of Khamenei.

Although the statement described the killing as a “targeted attack in violation of international law”, Dhaka did not mention the United States or Israel by name.

Indicating how those statements align with Gulf countries affected by Iran’s retaliatory strikes, Jahanabadi said on Wednesday: “We do not want any war with Arab or Muslim countries at all.”

“We also understand that millions of Bangladeshi workers are employed in the Middle Eastern countries. We want Bangladesh not to say or do anything that might make those countries unhappy.”

In response to a question about Bangladesh’s “limitations” due to its relations with Middle Eastern countries, he said: “We understand that Bangladesh has some limitations. However, this is an international issue. As Bangladesh is a member of the United Nations and the OIC, the UN Charter itself authorises speaking out against aggressors -- that is what we want.”

“If any country does not clearly oppose violations of the UN Charter, this trouble may one day arrive at their own doorstep.”

The ambassador said, “According to the UN Charter, it is illegal for one country to use force or attack another. Our expectation is that when a country violates the UN Charter and carries out aggression, other countries should condemn it in line with the Charter.”

“We only want condemnation of the aggression carried out by the US and Israel. We have no other demands.”

When asked whether Tehran had formally conveyed its dissatisfaction to Dhaka over these statements, he said there were only courteous exchanges during an Eid-ul-Fitr greeting event hosted by President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Expressing a desire to discuss the matter if he meets the prime minister, he said: “We do not want to convey this matter through letters. If we get an opportunity to meet, we will discuss it.”

Mocking Trump’s Fickle Statements

The Iranian ambassador mocked US President Donald Trump for repeatedly changing his stance following the attack on Iran.

He said, “The US president has declared himself victorious more than a hundred times so far. In the morning he declares victory. In the afternoon he says negotiations are ongoing, though we don’t know with whom. At night he says ‘we will destroy everything’.”

“Our major problem is that the current president of the US neither understands himself nor the global situation.”

He also said such behaviour is leading Trump himself, the Middle East, and the entire world down a “highly dangerous” path.

“However, we have not held any talks with the United States. Pakistan and Turkey are trying to mediate, and we welcome that.”

The ambassador added, “The United States and Israel continue war as long as they have the strength of weapons, and when they face shortages, they talk about peace. This is not accepted -- that they will call for ending war in their difficult times and then we have to accept it.”