Operation Epic Fury: Iran in SA breaks silence as ‘illegal attacks’ continue

Iran has broken its silence on the escalating conflict following Operation Epic Fury, describing ongoing strikes as ‘illegal attacks’ and vowing retaliation after the killing of its supreme leader.

Speaking from South Africa, the political counsellor at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Hamidreza Oraee, said Iran was still awaiting updated casualty figures as bombardments continue.

‘Illegal attack’ and mounting casualties

Oraee said the attacks on Iran were ongoing and described them as unlawful.

“What has happened? That’s an illegal attack. It’s continuously going to our country,” he said.

Pressed on the number of people killed since the new wave of war began, Oraee said he did not yet have updated figures and was ‘still waiting’ for confirmation, adding he was praying the number of casualties would not be high.

He accused the United States and Israel of targeting civilian areas.

“In just one of their bombardments in a school, they killed almost 200 innocent kids,” he said.

He also claimed that a gathering of civilians at a street food venue had been bombed.

“So, let’s not accept what they say, that they are doing that for the sake of the Iranian people. They are doing that for their own interest,” Oraee said.

Regime change claims rejected

Before launching Operation Epic Fury, US and Israeli officials said the strikes were aimed at giving Iranians an opportunity to revolt against their government.

Oraee dismissed that justification, questioning how calls for an uprising could be made while bombs were falling across the country.

“While they’re bombing every place in our country, how can they say that they just attacked my country because of the Iranian people?” he asked.

He insisted Iranians ‘did not and will not accept that justification’.

‘We are attacking military bases’

Regional tensions have intensified, with concerns about a wider war after targets in the UAE and Qatar were reportedly struck.

Oraee said Iran had warned neighbouring countries and denied attacking their sovereignty.

“We are not attacking those countries. We are attacking military bases and assets of the US, for example, and Israeli assets which are on their soil,” he said.

He added that Iran’s foreign minister had spoken to counterparts in neighbouring states to clarify that retaliatory strikes were directed at US and Israeli military bases and assets located there.

“These attacks, this retaliation are not to their sovereignty or to their soil, it is just to the assets and the military bases of the US and Israel, which are located there,” he said.

‘We just try to revenge’

Asked how far Iran was willing to go to avenge the assassination of its supreme leader over the weekend, Oraee said the country had the will to defend itself.

“It’s a matter of will. We do have that willpower to defend ourselves,” he said.

Correcting the phrasing of the question, he added: “We cannot avenge. We just can revenge.”

“Our supreme leader and our innocent people are much worthier than anyone can think.”

For more detailed information, listen to Oraee using the audio player below: