Mumbai, August 22: The Iranian Consul General in Mumbai, Saeed Reza Mousavi Motlagh, has emphasized Iran’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Indian citizens, particularly sailors operating in maritime areas. He described the economic pressures exerted by the United States as “economic terrorism” and expressed confidence that Iran, which has endured such pressures for 47 years, will overcome this challenging period. He also criticized former President Trump’s statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz as reflective of a confused mindset.
In response to concerns regarding the impact of ongoing conflicts on Indian sailors, Motlagh stated, “First, I would like to thank the Indian officials who are in direct contact with their Iranian counterparts regarding these concerns. Since the onset of the conflict, the primary objective of Iran’s armed forces has been to minimize casualties, even among enemy forces. Unfortunately, when comparing our casualties to those of the opposing side, it is evident that they have inflicted significant harm on our people with little regard for civilian lives. However, we exercise great caution. Following consultations between Iranian and Indian officials, advisories have been issued urging Indian citizens to avoid travel or operations in affected areas. Just as we are concerned about the safety of our citizens, we are equally concerned about the lives of citizens from other countries, especially Indians, and we take appropriate precautions.”
When asked about the current special circumstances in West Asia and the impact of the conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel on global trade and Iran’s economy, Motlagh acknowledged the economic challenges faced by Iran. He noted, “This situation is affecting the economies of Iran, the region, and the world. It cannot be denied that the economic problems arising from this situation have also impacted Iran. Unfortunately, we are witnessing a similar situation in India, reflecting how India is affected by the war imposed on Iran by the U.S. and the Israeli regime, especially given that the attack on Iran occurred amidst negotiations. Regrettably, we see the adverse consequences of this situation affecting the people of India as well. Even Americans are experiencing the negative repercussions of their leaders’ reckless actions, as prices continue to rise daily.”
Regarding the potential impact of the Trump administration’s sanctions on Iran’s economy, Motlagh remarked, “The U.S. has been undertaking anti-Iranian actions for over seventy years. We are approaching the anniversary of the events of 28 Mordad in the Iranian calendar. Unfortunately, the first act of American hostility towards Iran occurred at that time, and these actions continue to this day. The most recent example relates to the economic blockade and attempts to destroy Iran through economic pressure. Unfortunately, the U.S. has consistently acted based on hostile intentions towards Iran and has sought to take action against our country. A few months ago, we observed them discussing the military means to destroy Iranian civilization, which they were unable to accomplish due to circumstances and a lack of necessary strength. For the past 47 years, the Iranian people have been prepared for such circumstances and have continuously faced these pressures. As you have seen in the statements of American officials and those of the Israeli regime, they have explicitly used the term ‘terror’ in relation to Iranian officials, commanders, ministers, government and military personnel, and ordinary citizens. Today, due to their inability to destroy Iran through those means and their failure on that front, they have turned to the economic sphere and resorted to economic terrorism.”
In response to a question about Trump’s statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Motlagh stated, “Unfortunately, their confused and hostile thinking is reflected in their behavior towards the people of the world, not just Iran. We have seen their perspective on Greenland, the Gulf of Mexico, and various other parts of the world, as well as their ambitions to occupy and dominate countries. Regrettably, they are afflicted by this mindset. We have a saying among Iranians: ‘The camel dreams of a needle, sometimes it swallows it whole.’ This essentially tells the story of their ambitions. At one moment, they want the entire world, and at another, they want to take countries one by one. However, I must emphasize that this is nothing more than a dream, and it will not become a reality for them.”
Leave a Comment