Hundreds Killed in U.S.-Israel Attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader and President Safe: Envoy

New Delhi— Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Saturday claimed that hundreds of Iranian civilians were killed in what he described as large-scale military attacks launched by the United States and Israel, while confirming that Iran’s top leadership remains unharmed.

In an interview with IANS, Fathali said that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Masoud Pezeshkian are “in full health and have not sustained any harm,” despite reports that key government sites in Tehran were targeted.

“What has occurred today constitutes an act of aggression and a clear violation of Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Fathali said, alleging that “hundreds of innocent Iranian citizens have been martyred.” He claimed that in one instance, more than 50 schoolgirls were killed in an attack on a girls’ school in Minab.

The ambassador’s remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the launch of what he described as “large-scale combat operations” on Saturday.

Fathali said Iran does not seek to expand the conflict but would respond under its “inherent right of self-defence” as outlined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. “The nature and level of Iran’s response will be proportionate to the conduct of the opposing party,” he said, warning that continued aggression would prompt a “decisive” reply.

Addressing reports that the office of the Supreme Leader and the Presidential complex in Tehran had been targeted, Fathali reiterated that both Khamenei and Pezeshkian are safe. He described Khamenei not only as a political leader but as a religious authority for Shiites worldwide, cautioning that any harm directed at him would carry “extremely grave” consequences.

On the possibility of diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, Fathali said that Iran had been engaged in dialogue with the United States in recent months but accused Washington of abandoning diplomacy in favor of military action. “At present, no backchannel diplomacy is underway,” he said, adding that Iran would deliver what he called a “crushing response” within the framework of legitimate self-defense.

Fathali also addressed concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in Iran, including Indian students and professionals. He said there have been no official reports of harm to Indian citizens and that Iranian authorities have issued safety advisories. He added that Iran stands ready to coordinate with the Government of India should evacuation become necessary.

Responding to reports of explosions in Persian Gulf countries, the envoy denied that Iran intends to draw other regional nations into the conflict. However, he warned that if U.S. military bases in the region are used to launch attacks on Iranian territory, they would be considered “legitimate targets” under international law.

“Our objective is not to expand the war, but to prevent further aggression and restore deterrence,” Fathali said, placing responsibility for any escalation on what he described as the initiators of the attacks. (Source: IANS)