On August 25, 2021, Iran announced[1] that Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, international affairs advisor to the Majlis speaker and former deputy foreign minister, will serve as the country's new foreign minister.
The following are MEMRI TV clips of Amir-Abdollahian, from 2014 to 2020.
Iranian Official Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Threatens UAE, Bahrain, Adds: So Far We Only Avenged Soleimani's Vehicle, Revenge For His Death Will Be Greater – October 16, 2020
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said at an October 16, 2020 speech at the International Conference of Expatriate Mujahideen that Iran's attack on the Ayn Al-Asad base had only been part of the revenge for IRGC General Qasem Soleimani's vehicle, and that a much greater revenge is coming, for Soleimani himself. He also threatened the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, which he said are giving Israel a foothold in the region. He warned that if Iran or its allies are harmed in any way, Iran's retaliation will be aimed not only at Israel, but also at these countries. The speech aired on IRINN TV (Iran).
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, click here or below:
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: "There have been times when I have said the following statement to European and Western diplomats: When the Americans assassinated General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, they made two mistakes. Their first mistake was that they targeted Soleimani's vehicle. The second mistake is that they targeted him and his companions. The revenge for Soleimani's vehicle was carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran when 13 accurate ballistic missiles were launched at the Ayn Al-Asad strategic base. But this was only revenge for the destruction of Soleimani's vehicle. The revenge for the blood of Soleimani himself will be greater. The Americans themselves know this. Today, the Americans are trembling with fear in the White House because of their fate, which will lead to America's final departure [from the region]. This same America has just experienced the rapid decline and collapse of its empire.
[...]
"The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain are giving the Zionist Israelis a foothold in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. They must know that in this dangerous game, they are fanning the flames. The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to maximally preserve its national security, and regional security... If even the smallest harm is caused to the Islamic Republic or its allies in the region, its response will not only be aimed at the Zionists. It will also be aimed at those who have given the Zionist regime a foothold in the region. The political and security arrangements in the region will not allow the Zionists to breathe a sigh of relief. This is a necessity for the maximal preservation of Iran's national security.
[...]
"For a few years, I held a diplomatic position in Bahrain. I am closely familiar with the Khalifa clan. They really need to make peace with their own people. Making peace with Israel will bring nothing but collapse to the Khalifa clan."
Senior Iranian Official Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: Iranian Retaliation For Any Israeli Attack Will Include UAE, Saudi Arabia From Now On – September 6, 2020
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the UAE has made a big mistake by establishing relations with "the cancer of the region, the Zionist entity" and that this step was not in its best interest. He added that the Palestinians "will not remain silent in the face of this betrayal." Amir-Abdollahian stated that the UAE may very well have upset its own security and stability with this move because Israel upsets the stability everywhere it is present. Amir-Abdollahian warned that the UAE will also bear the brunt of any retaliation against "any incident – covert or overt" carried out by the Zionists and that is meant to harm the security and stability of Iran. He added that this warning goes to the Saudis as well. Amir-Abdollahian continued to say that the UAE and Saudi Arabia can still backtrack from the mistakes they have made. The interview was aired on Iran’s Arabic language Al-Alam TV on September 6, 2020.
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, click here or below:
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: "The big mistake committed by the UAE is establishing relations with the cancer of the region, the Zionist entity, that does not seek stability for the region and does not wish it well. This is not in the best interest of the Emiratis. The Palestinians will not remain silent in the face of this betrayal by the UAE. The situation is different today than it was a few decades ago, when Anwar Sadat signed the peace agreement with the Zionist entity. Once again, I would like to recommend to the leaders of the UAE to redress the way they treat the principles of the Muslims and the Palestinian cause.
Interviewer: "What is your analysis of this issue? I am referring to the normalization of relations by the UAE with the Zionist entity. Why did the UAE lift the veil from its relations with the entity that is occupying Jerusalem?"
Amir-Abdollahian: "Regardless of any considerations that the UAE might have had, firstly, the UAE might upset its security and stability, because wherever the Israelis are present, they upset security and stability. Secondly, the UAE is upsetting the security and the stability of the Persian Gulf with this measure. Thirdly, they are destabilizing the routes through which energy is transported from this region. Fourthly, they upset their relationship with the UAE [sic]. From the moment the UAE announced that it was normalizing relations with the Zionist entity, any incident – covert or overt – that takes place in Iran or in the region, in which the Zionists are involved – the response will also be directed at the UAE, as part of the Iranian response to any incident that is meant to harm its security and stability.
[...]
"We give Saudis the same warning that we give to the UAE. Of course, these two countries can correct their mistakes, and turn back from this mistaken path. We recommend that they turn back from this path and that they refrain from replacing the security and stability of the region with conflicts and instability."
Senior Iranian Official Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: Mossad, U.S. Agencies Targeted Japanese Tanker in Hormuz; British Seizure of Iranian Tanker Is Act of Piracy, Iran Might Reciprocate – July 8, 2019
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in a July 8, 2019 interview on Al-Araby TV (U.K.) that he had posted a tweet accusing the Mossad and American intelligence agencies of attacking the Japanese oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz on June 19, 2019, because Israel, America, and Saudi Arabia stand to gain from tensions in the region. He explained that it is unreasonable that Iran would have targeted a Japanese tanker during the Japanese prime minister's first visit to Tehran since the Islamic Revolution. Abdollahian also said that Britain made a "big mistake" by seizing the Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar on July 4, 2019. He claimed that this was an act of piracy and that Britain should promptly apologize to the Iranian people. He added that Iran might "reciprocate" if Britain does not reconsider its decision.
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, click here or below:
Interviewer: "You are very active on Twitter, and you wrote – very clearly – that the Mossad and the American intelligence agencies are responsible for the oil tanker accidents near Oman and in the [Persian] Gulf. Do you have proof of this?"
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: "It is reasonable that Iran would have targeted a Japanese oil tanker during the Japanese PM's first visit to Tehran in 41 years and since the Islamic Revolution? Is this reasonable? It was done by whoever has the most to gain. Israel gains from encouraging the U.S. to enter a military conflict with Iran. Saudi Arabia gains because Muhammad bin Salman has been trying for some time to promote a military conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Those who benefit [from this] have an interest in destabilizing the region's security."
Interviewer: "If we are talking about the Gulf region and about oil tankers, I can't help but ask about the Iranian oil tanker that was seized by British forces in Gibraltar. How do you view this issue, especially since Britain is still part of the nuclear deal, and since it says that it is committed to it?"
Amir-Abdollahian: "I think that Britain has made a big mistake by seizing the Iranian oil tanker. Therefore, Britain must apologize before the Iranian people, because it has not managed to uphold its commitments in the nuclear deal. What the British government has done is an act of piracy, and it should apologize to Iran as quickly as possible."
Interviewer: "You threatened to do the same [to Britain]..."
Amir-Abdollahian: "Of course. If Britain does not reconsider its decision... Today's world is a world of reciprocity, and Iran shall not stand idly by."
Senior Iranian Official Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Threatens To "Raze Tel Aviv And Haifa To The Ground" – October 18, 2018
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said that if Israel "carries out even the smallest mistake" against Iran, Iran would raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground. He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of employing childish and bombastic diplomatic tactics at the U.N. General Assembly and on TV, and said that Netanyahu and Israel have reached the end of the road. Abdollahian added that the Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, will never unite, and that Iran, Iraq, and Turkey are the only reason the Arab nations can maintain their security. Abdollahian called on the Arab countries to stop playing Trump "the lunatic" and Netanyahu's games, and invited them to partner with "their real friends, like Iran." Abdollahian's remarks aired on Russia Today TV on October 18, 2018.
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, click here or below:
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: "Israel does not have the courage or the capability to carry out even the smallest mistake [attack] against the Islamic Republic. The reason is that our intelligence agency has gathered very accurate information about Israel's psychological state, morale, capabilities, and weaknesses.
"Secondly, the highest level of the revolution's leadership, Ali Khamenei, declared that if Israel carried out the smallest mistake against Iran, we would raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground. Therefore, the Zionist do not dare to act against us. Every year, at the United Nations General Assembly and on TV, Netanyahu employs childish and bombastic diplomatic [tactics], trying to intimidate us in Iran. Netanyahu has reached the end of the road, and soon he will find out that Israel has also reached the end. Jerusalem will never be their capital. If the Israelis decide to continue along this path, they will only hasten their fall into the abyss.
[...]
"I am not a security or military analyst, but I can say that Israel is surrounded from all directions by the resistance movements in the region. The slightest mistake would cost Israel dearly.
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"Netanyahu needs to realize that his dream of the Iranians leaving Syria will not come true. This pertains to the mutual defense agreements between Tehran and Damascus.
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"We do not need to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. We have dozens of political, cultural, economic, and geopolitical straits through which we can besiege America. The Trump Administration has isolated the U.S. from the Western countries, and even from the countries in the region. All these countries know that Trump's policy will lead nowhere.
[...]
"One of the Arab kings once said to me: "Only when all the world's deserts bloom and turn green, will the Arab countries unite." The Arab NATO will never be more than an idea on paper. Despite the support of Trump the lunatic, they will form no NATO. Only with the help of countries in the region like Iran, Iraq, and Turkey, can the Arabs maintain their security and restore security to the region. We call Saudi Arabia and all the Arab countries to take part in these security arrangements. We call upon them not to participate in the games of Trump and Netanyahu. They should turn to their real friends, like Iran, to restore security in the region."
Senior Iranian Official Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: Israelis Are Weak Compared To Iranians, The Bones Of The Zionists Will Be Crushed, September 21, 2018
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, was interviewed on Iraq's Al-Nujaba TV network. Abdollahian said that Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen is a Zionist plot to weaken Saudi Arabia, and that the Saudis' collaboration with the Zionists and the Americans is a "path towards division and weakness." He said that the Zionist slogan is "From the Nile to the Euphrates," and that the Iraqi people should not trust Israel because it is plotting against Iraq. He also expressed confidence that Jerusalem will be liberated. When asked whether Iran would attack Israel from the Golan Heights, Abdollahian added that Iran will respond as quickly as possible to any Israeli threat, and added that the Israelis will "taste bitter defeat," and that "the bones of the Zionists will undoubtedly be crushed." The interview aired on September 21, 2018.
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, click here or below:
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: "Sadly, the Saudi regime thinks that through money and policies – by handing out dollars – it can win countries over. We believe that Saudi Arabia's role as a big brother is a thing of the past. We believe that the Saudi war against Yemen is 100% a Zionist plot. In order to be able to divide, weaken, and exhaust Saudi Arabia, the Zionists entangled it in a conflict in Yemen.
[...]
"I am one of the diplomats who are worried about the future of Saudi Arabia. Israel's map for the future of the region includes the division of Saudi Arabia. The Zionists entangled Saudi Arabia in a conflict between two Muslim countries in order to weaken both of them. The division of Saudi Arabia is not in the interest of Iran or in the interest of the other countries in the region. As much as we defend national unity and cohesion in Iraq and Syria, we defend national unity in Saudi Arabia, as a Muslim country. However, the Saudi rulers' collaboration with the Americans and the Zionists inadvertently puts Saudi Arabia on a path towards division and weakness.
[...]
"The Palestinian cause is still on many Iraqis' minds. The most important thing, which we must keep in mind, is that the Zionist slogan is: 'From the Nile to the Euphrates.' They strive for regional hegemony from the Nile to the Euphrates. A high-ranking Palestinian politician recently showed me a document which said that in the first years of the occupation of Palestine, the Zionists minted coins that showed the map of Greater Israel. That map included Iraq in its entirety, as well as large parts of the Saudi and Egyptian territories. This is the dream and intention of the Israelis and the Zionists. We should pin no hope on the Zionists and we must not trust them. The Iraqi people need to understand that the Israelis are plotting against Iraq. They have big dreams for Iraq."
[...]
Interviewer: "Will we pray in Jerusalem?"
Amir-Abdollahian: "I have no doubt about this. With the blessing and support of the resistance, and through unity among the Palestinian factions, Jerusalem will be liberated. This is the true promise of Allah.
[...]
"The Syrian forces are present in the Golan. Additionally, in keeping with the military agreements between Iran and Syria, Iranian advisors can be present anywhere in Syria, at any time."
Interviewer: "So it's possible that you will attack the Zionist entity from the Golan..."
Amir-Abdollahian: "I don't want to confirm that we are present in the Golan Heights, but I would like to say that when it comes to the war on terror, the initial agreements between Syria and Iran state that the Islamic Republic of Iran can make any decision or take any action that it feels will help the Syrian government to eliminate the terror..."
Interviewer: "Does Syria agree to an Iranian strike against the Zionist entity in the event of an Israeli aggression against Syria?"
Amir-Abdollahian: "The Israelis are very weak compared to the Iranians. If we feel threatened by the Zionists in any of the places in the region where we are present, we will respond as quickly as possible. But the Israelis do not dare to threaten the Islamic Republic.
[...]
"The Zionists will taste bitter defeat once again. The bones of the Zionists will undoubtedly be crushed, because their policies are based on injustice, violations, and plundering, rather than on justice and on the teachings of Judaism."
Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister: We Have Been in Touch with Hamas Throughout The Current Crisis – July 27, 2014
In a July 27 interview on the Lebanese Al-Manar TV channel, Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that Iran was in constant contact with Hamas. "During the recent crisis, we were in direct contact and held consultations with Hamas, with Ismail Haniya, and with Hamas Political Bureau head Khaled Mash'al," he said.\
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, click here or below:
Hossein Amir Abdollahian: "The resistance launches an average of 200 to 350 rockets every day from Gaza, targeting all cities in occupied Palestine. 85% of these rockets hit their targets.
[...]
"Even under the worst conditions, Iran maintained good ties with Hamas. During the recent crisis, we were in direct contact and held consultations with Hamas, with Ismail Haniya, and with Hamas Political Bureau head Khaled Mash'al.
"Two days ago, the Iranian foreign minister called Khaled Mash'al and talked with him for 20 minutes. This was a very important and productive conversation.
"We regularly support Hamas and the Islamic Jihad and all factions of the Palestinian resistance."
[1] Wsj.com/articles/irans-parliament-confirms-conservative-as-top-diplomat-11629906834, August 25, 2021.
