Iranian ambassador: 'Not at war' with UK but blames US and Israel as root causes
Mar 9th 2026
Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi told UK media Iran is not at war with Britain, blamed the US and Israel for the conflict, rejected responsibility for recent drone strikes on RAF Akrotiri and warned Iran would defend itself if attacked.
- Iran is "not at war" with the UK and has "no hostility" toward the British people, Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi said.
- Mousavi blamed the United States and Israel as the "root causes" of the wider regional crisis.
- He described claims Iran launched last week's drone strikes on RAF Akrotiri as a "false flag" while the UK Ministry of Defence continues to investigate.
- Mousavi warned Iran would defend its territorial integrity if the UK or others attacked.
- He said Gulf states hosting US bases could be considered legitimate targets if those facilities were used against Iran.
- Mousavi expressed regret about oil prices soaring above $100 a barrel and urged pressure on the US and Israel to stop the war.
- On domestic unrest he denied reports of protesters being hung but acknowledged there had been violence against demonstrators.
- He endorsed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader and said continuity of core policies is likely alongside possible adaptations to new issues.