Ali Larijani, then Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, now declared assassinated by Israel, issued a message addressed to Muslims around the world and to the governments of Islamic countries, urging them to reconsider their positions amid the ongoing confrontation between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
In the March 15 message, posted on X by the Iranian embassy in India, Larijani said Iran had been subjected to a coordinated assault during negotiations, describing the attacks as a deceptive act aimed at weakening the country.
“Iran was subjected to a treacherous aggression carried out during negotiations with Washington, and its goal was to dismantle Iran,” he said.
The attacks led to the killing of senior leaders, civilians, and military commanders, Larijani said. Despite these losses, he added that the Iranian population responded with what he described as strong national resistance.
“The Iranian people, through their strong will, managed to suppress the attacking enemy until it has now become incapable of finding a way out of this strategic predicament,” he wrote.
Larijani framed the current confrontation as part of a broader regional struggle, urging Muslim governments to examine their positions carefully.
“Which side do you stand on?” he asked in the message addressed to Muslims and Islamic governments.
Larijani also criticised what he described as the limited support offered by many Islamic countries during the war. He said that, with only rare exceptions and largely limited to political statements, Islamic governments had not stood alongside Iran during the conflict.
“The Islamic countries, except for rare cases and within the limits of political positions only, did not stand beside the Iranian people,” he said.
The Iranian official also questioned the stance of governments that had criticised Iran for targeting US military installations or Israeli-linked interests located on their territory.
Some states, he said, had gone further by declaring Iran an enemy because Tehran targeted American bases or interests inside their borders.
“Is Iran expected to stand with its hands tied while American bases in those countries are used to attack it?” he asked.
Larijani described these arguments as weak justifications. “These are flimsy pretexts,” he wrote.
To emphasise the moral dimension of the issue, Larijani invoked a well-known prophetic saying: “Whoever hears a man calling out ‘O Muslims!’ and does not respond is not a Muslim.”
He then asked whether the positions adopted by some Islamic governments were compatible with that principle.
“What kind of Islam is this?” he asked.
Larijani described the regional conflict in stark terms, portraying it as a struggle between two opposing camps.
“The confrontation today is between America and Israel on one side, and Muslim Iran and the forces of Resistance on the other,” he said.
He also reaffirmed that Iran would continue to resist pressure from Washington and Israel. Iran, he wrote, remains committed to what he described as the path of resistance against the United States and Israel.
At the same time, Larijani said Iran was not seeking domination over other countries in the Islamic world.
“Iran does not seek to dominate the Islamic countries. Rather, it offers advice to them,” he said.
Instead, he argued that unity within the Islamic world would ultimately provide security and independence for Muslim nations.
“The unity of the Islamic nation, if it is achieved with strength, can guarantee security, progress and independence for all its countries,” he wrote.
Larijani concluded his message by urging governments across the Muslim world to reflect on the long-term future of the region.
“You know that America has no loyalty and that Israel is your enemy,” he said.
Hundreds of Iranian civilians have been killed in Israel-US bombings, including over 200 children.
Reports claim that some neighbouring states which host US forces and permit attacks on Iran are also actively encouraging this slaughter. Stances should be promptly clarified.
Araghchi Calls for Positions
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also addressed the escalating conflict in a message posted on the social platform X. He wrote that large numbers of civilians had been killed during the bombardment.
“Hundreds of Iranian civilians have been killed in the bombings, including more than 200 children,” Araghchi said.
He also accused some neighbouring countries of facilitating the attacks by allowing US forces to operate from bases located on their territory.
According to Araghchi, these governments must make their positions clear regarding the conflict. “Stances should be promptly clarified,” he wrote.
The Iranian foreign minister suggested that some states hosting American military installations may be encouraging the attacks on Iran.
His remarks come amid escalating tensions across the region as Iran continues its confrontation with the United States and Israel following their attacks launched on February 28.
Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that countries facilitating attacks against Iran could face consequences if the conflict continues to expand.