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Published : 05 Mar 2026, 12:22 AM
Iran’s ambassador to Dhaka Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi has called on Bangladesh to show "sympathy and support" as a fellow Muslim nation following devastating US and Israeli strikes, saying Tehran seeks moral solidarity rather than military logistics.
Speaking at a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, the envoy responded to questions about Bangladesh’s official statements on the conflict.
“We hope that since Bangladesh is a Muslim country, a member of the OIC and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), it will directly condemn an aggressor power or protest against it -- that is our expectation,” he said.
“We do not seek any logistics support from any country. We only want a Muslim country to express sympathy and support for another Muslim country that has been attacked,” he said.
Israel and the United States launched a large-scale military operation across Iran on Saturday.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law and grandson were killed in the attacks, according to Iranian sources.
In retaliation, Iran carried out missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases and installations in Gulf countries, alongside Israel.
The Iranian Red Crescent said the death toll had exceeded 1,000, including dozens of leaders and senior officials.
Bangladesh issued two statements following the escalation.
In its first statement on Sunday, Dhaka did not condemn the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran, nor did it mention the death of Ayatollah Khamenei.
While the foreign ministry condemned violations of sovereignty of several Middle Eastern countries, it named seven states but excluded Iran.
The language of the statement aligned with positions taken by US allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany and France, as well as some affected Middle Eastern countries.
Amid criticism, the foreign ministry issued a second statement on Monday expressing that it was “deeply saddened” by Khamenei’s death.
Although it described the killing as a “targeted attack in violation of international law”, it did not name the United States or Israel.
Responding to questions on Bangladesh’s stance, the ambassador said: “When the United Nations itself has condemned the attack on Iran, as a Muslim country we expect all Muslim countries to oppose attacks on their brothers and condemn them.”
Asked about outreach from political parties, Jahanabadi said only Shafiqur Rahman, chief of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, had contacted him.
“Other than Dr Shafiqur Rahman, no other party has contacted us. He communicated with me and expressed his condolences. No other side has made contact.
“I have seen that different groups in Bangladesh, especially students who held rallies and made statements, expressed sympathy towards us. I am extremely grateful to them for expressing solidarity,” he said.
On Iran’s strikes in neighbouring countries, the envoy said: “Regarding neighbouring countries, we hope they will reconsider their policies and hope that they will not allow their territory and other facilities to be used by an aggressor power to attack another country. This is extremely important for the security of the entire region.
“We always consider the entire Muslim ummah as one family. So if a bullet hits any Muslim country, it hits our hearts. Therefore, we expect our neighbouring countries not to provide any assistance to any aggressor power,” he added.
He warned that if Middle Eastern states continue to support “aggressor powers”, Iran would be compelled to continue what he described as a resistance war.
Claiming Iran has the capacity to sustain the conflict as long as necessary, he said: “We have that military strength. Our missile and drone programmes were adopted with this plan in mind long ago.
“You have already seen that America’s defence systems are failing in many places against our missiles, whether in neighbouring countries or in Israel. We have no problem. As long as they want to continue, we have the capability to continue.”
Asked whether the killing of Khamenei indicated an intelligence failure, the ambassador said: “Our top leader was working in his office. He did not believe in shelters or special arrangements. He was working when they suddenly attacked and martyred him.”
“This is a cowardly act that only America and Israel are capable of. It is not an intelligence failure; anyone can commit such a low act, even Iran could, though we choose not to," he said.
On the lack of military intervention from allies like Russia or China, he clarified that while arms agreements exist, there are no "defence treaties" requiring them to enter the war.
Addressing the possibility of the US using nuclear weapons, the ambassador remained defiant.
"They have used them twice before and may do so a third time. We are not afraid because our goal is martyrdom.”
“We prefer fighting with our heads held high over surrendering. As Imam Hussain (AS) said: 'Death is better than a life of humiliation'."
‘Disappointed America’
Claiming that US plans have backfired, Ambassador Jahanabadi said: “The Americans initially hoped that once the war and attacks began, the Iranian people would take to the streets against the government. They have been disappointed in this regard; the public has not responded as they expected.”
“Consequently, they are now bombing different border regions, such as Kerman and other frontier areas, attempting to incite the people against the government. However, the populace remains more united than ever and has not fallen into any American traps. This proves the people stand with the government.”
The envoy noted that recent attempts to stir unrest in Kurdistan were also thwarted. “Because the public did not respond there, the Americans have resorted to bombing those areas as well,” he said.
“Moreover, the Americans are moving approximately 7,000 ISIS operatives from different Syrian prisons to locations across Iraq. They are bringing them in with sinister motives. However, Iran is aware of them and can strike these groups at any time. We are currently at war with America and Israel, and they are employing every deceptive tactic available.”
Responding to a question regarding the crackdown on anti-government protests last month, he said: “Every country has differing opinions for and against the state, but we must look at where the majority stands. Protests happen in all countries. As long as they remain peaceful and do not create anarchy, our government does not intervene.”
He claimed that since the war began, no one has taken to the streets to chant slogans against the government.
“You may have noticed that following the martyrdom of our Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, millions of Iranians took to the streets and remain there even now,” he said.
“While there are protests like in any other country, a defining characteristic of Iranians is their strong nationalism. They may have internal differences, but when faced with external aggression, all Iranians become united once again.”
