Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar Says Israel Degraded Iran’s Nuclear, Missile Programs; Iranian Ambassador Iraj Elahi Denies Ceasefire Request

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran remains tense, with both nations presenting contrasting views on the situation and ceasefire prospects. Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar stated that the primary threat currently comes directly from Iran due to its ballistic missile capabilities. He also claimed that Israel has targeted dozens of sites linked to Iran's illicit activities and asserted that Israel has achieved its war aims by degrading Iran's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Azar emphasized that Israel is not involved in the Pakistani-Indian conflict. On the other hand, Iran's Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi denied that Iran requested any ceasefire, stating that Iran's military operations were defensive and escalating. Elahi accused Israel of repeatedly breaking ceasefires, including in Gaza and Lebanon, and described Israel as unreliable. He criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for hesitating to condemn Israeli aggression and expressed dissatisfaction with the agency's stance. Elahi reaffirmed Iran's position that it has not attacked any country but is defending itself under international law and would cease responses if attacks stopped. He called on India to play a more effective role in promoting regional peace and stability and condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza as a genocide. Elahi also criticized Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for nominating Donald Trump for a peace prize, calling it a misuse of the international community's trust. Both diplomats highlighted the broader geopolitical complexities underlying the Israel-Iran conflict.