Reports of internal tension in Iran are false, says top official

Dr Mohammad Hossein Ziyaeenia, an Iranian official, dismisses reports of internal tension, stating Iran's government is a republic, not dependent on one person. He says the people are united and the country is defending itself from US bases.

Reports of internal tension made by those unaware of our system

Noting that people of Iran are united, Deputy Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India Dr Mohammad Hossein Ziyaeenia has said that reports and suggestions about internal tensions in Iran are made by those who are unaware of the government system in his country and those "trying to hide the truth from the audience".

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Mohammad Hossein Ziyaeenia said that the Iranian government system is not dependent on a single person because it is a Republic. "This question has been raised by the Western media. There are two reasons for this question. Number one is not being aware of the government system in Iran. Number two, trying to hide the truth from the audience. The Iranian government system is not dependent on a single person because this is a republic... So it's not that there is a single figure in command in Iran and the country would collapse without him. There is a hierarchy there," he said.

"So when such questions arise, it shows that either it's coming from a background that is not familiar with the system in Iran... One year ago, because of the unjust sanctions put on us by our enemies, there was some division in Iran. After this war, there is no division. The people have now understood that the source of those economic problems was coming from outside... That's why they want to create division inside Iran because they see that the people of Iran are united," he added.

Iran is defending its people from invaders

He was asked about reports of internal tension in Iran. Iran and the US have been observing a tenuous ceasefire since April 7 after the conflict between Iran and Israel-US that started on February 28. The conflict has caused global energy supply disruptions.

Asked about Iran having attacked several Gulf countries in retaliation to the US-Israel attacks, Mohammad Hossein Ziyaeenia said the Iranian leadership is responsible for defending its people. He said the United States has military bases in countries near Iran and asked if Iran should remain silent and allow itself to be targeted.

"Iran is targeting the invaders of its territory... A warplane is not able to fly from US territory toward Iran, even from the occupied land of Palestine... That's why US bases are located around Iran. What would be your response if your home was targeted by bases around you, and then the invader says that my home is far away from you, you have to target my home," he said.

"Should we remain silent and allow them to target our country from these bases?... Iran and India, these two civilisations, these two nations are not invaders... We were invaded by foreign powers, and we are responsible for defending our people," he added.

'We will definitely win'

Asked about the outcome of the US-Iran war, Mohammad Hossein Ziyaeenia said they will definitely win. "Definitely we will win. There is no hesitation in this because our nation is well determined... Go and see the streets of Iran these days ... Every night in the streets of Iran, people are chanting, supporting their government, supporting the army. This country won't be defeated. I do believe that the enemy is wasting its time. It's better for them to accept these 10 conditions to finish the war today," he said. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)