KAMPALA, Uganda — Israel’s Ambassador to Uganda, Gideon Behar, has accused Iran of triggering the ongoing conflict between the two countries, arguing that Tehran ignored diplomatic efforts and continued pursuing what Israel describes as a nuclear weapons agenda.
Speaking amid heightened regional tensions, Behar said Iran had disregarded peaceful approaches advanced through international channels, including the United Nations, and failed to halt its nuclear programme despite repeated global appeals.
His remarks come four days after Israel and the United States launched coordinated military strikes on Iranian targets, in an operation that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Diplomatic breakdown
Referring to Iran’s leadership as destructive, the ambassador argued that the conflict could have been avoided had Tehran engaged meaningfully with Washington.
He said that rather than pursuing genuine negotiations, Iran had used diplomatic engagement to buy time to expand its weapons capabilities. He further claimed that many Iranians would welcome a change in leadership.
Iran, however, maintains that it has acted within international law. Following the expiry of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in October, Tehran asserted it was no longer subject to certain UN-imposed restrictions that had formed part of the 2015 nuclear agreement framework.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran would remain bound by treaty obligations but would face “no limits whatsoever” on the scale of its nuclear programme beyond those agreements.
The NPT forms the foundation of the global non-proliferation regime, requiring non-nuclear-weapon states to submit their nuclear activities to monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Iranian officials have reiterated that cooperation with the IAEA continues under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and in line with domestic legislation.
Israel disputes those assurances, arguing that Iran has been pursuing the capacity to develop a nuclear weapon with hostile intent.
Ambassador Behar described the military campaign as a necessary pre-emptive measure to counter what Israel views as an existential threat.
Regional fallout
The confrontation has had immediate repercussions across the Middle East and beyond. Missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf states that host US military installations prompted temporary airspace closures in several countries, disrupting international travel and trade.
Airlines suspended flights to major transit hubs, stranding thousands of passengers, including travellers from East Africa. Energy markets have also experienced volatility amid fears of wider regional escalation.
Iran has said it targeted Gulf states because of their support for US operations, including hosting American military bases.
Addressing concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict, Ambassador Behar said responsibility lies with Tehran.
Also Read: Uganda evacuates 43 students from Iran as Middle East tensions escalate
He alleged that Iran had allocated significant financial resources, including an estimated USD 1 billion, toward military objectives rather than domestic welfare, arguing that the leadership prioritised regime interests over citizens’ wellbeing.
The current escalation marks one of the most direct confrontations between Israel and Iran in decades, raising fears of a broader regional war.
Diplomatic efforts at the United Nations and through regional intermediaries are ongoing, though prospects for de-escalation remain uncertain.
Analysts warn that continued strikes risk drawing additional regional actors into the conflict, further destabilising global supply chains and security arrangements.
