Iran Sends Kenya a Chilling Message as Global Tensions Spill Into Africa
Tensions have escalated between Iran and Kenya after the Iranian Embassy in Nairobi issued a firm response to remarks by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, who had condemned Tehran’s recent strikes on Gulf countries.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, April 7, the embassy rejected claims that Iran was the aggressor in the unfolding conflict, instead insisting its actions were a lawful response to what it described as prior attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory.
According to the embassy, the strikes targeting infrastructure in Gulf states—including the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—form part of a broader defensive strategy. It argued that the operations, involving drones and ballistic missiles, followed a large-scale offensive allegedly launched against Iran in late February.
“For months, we had warned neighbouring countries, particularly those along the Persian Gulf, that any aggression from their soil against Iran would be met with our inherent right to self-defence,” the embassy stated.
It further defended its actions as being within the bounds of international law, adding: “Our response has been strictly in exercise of our inherent right to self-defense, consistent with international law and the principles of proportionality, necessity, and discrimination.”
The remarks come days after Sing’oei publicly condemned Iran’s strikes on the UAE following a diplomatic engagement with a senior Emirati official responsible for energy and sustainability.
In his statement dated April 1, Sing’oei described the attacks as unjustified, warning that they targeted critical infrastructure and posed serious economic and environmental risks globally.
He also reaffirmed Kenya’s solidarity with the UAE, aligning with President William Ruto’s stance on the crisis.
“I conveyed to him Kenya’s solidarity—in line with President Ruto’s well-stated position on this matter—and assured him of our readiness to work with the UAE to respond through diplomatic means to this escalating situation,” Sing’oei said.
President Ruto had earlier voiced concern over the widening conflict, cautioning that escalating tensions in the Middle East could undermine global peace and security.
“At this defining and perilous moment in global history, longstanding multilateral institutions remain indispensable frameworks for the resolution of the current crisis in the Middle East. Kenya calls for urgent multi-stakeholder engagement towards de-escalation,” Ruto said in a statement issued on March 2.
However, Iran has now urged Kenya to reconsider its position, calling on Nairobi to “stand on the right side of history” by condemning the United States and Israel instead.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran expects all free and independent nations to stand on the right side of history and condemn the aggressors,” the embassy stated. “We reaffirm our readiness for diplomatic solutions based on mutual respect and international law, but will not hesitate to defend our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security.”
The exchange highlights growing international divisions over the conflict, with diplomatic tensions now extending beyond the Middle East as countries take sides in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
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Iran Sends Kenya a Chilling Message as Global Tensions Spill Into Africa