The Iranian Embassy in Nairobi has issued a strongly worded statement pushing back against Kenya’s recent public alignment with the United Arab Emirates, warning Nairobi to reconsider its position in the unfolding Middle East tensions.
The embassy argued that the country Kenya is supporting is not the victim in the ongoing conflict, urging the Kenyan government to “know the difference” in its diplomatic stance.
The reaction follows remarks made by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singoei on April 1, when he spoke with a UAE foreign affairs official, condemned Iran’s strikes on Gulf infrastructure as unjustified, and expressed Kenya’s solidarity with Abu Dhabi.
President William Ruto had earlier taken a similar position in March, warning that Iran’s retaliatory strikes posed a threat to international peace and security.
However, the Iranian Embassy has disputed this narrative, insisting that the strikes on Gulf infrastructure were not unprovoked. According to Tehran, the escalation followed large-scale military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian soil beginning in late February—actions Iran says Kenya did not publicly condemn.
The embassy maintained that Iran’s response was an act of self-defence under international law rather than aggression.
“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.
In its message directed at Kenya and other observing nations, Iran urged a fuller assessment of the conflict, arguing that attention should not only be placed on the strikes affecting Gulf infrastructure but also on the events that triggered the escalation.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran expects all free and independent nations to stand on the right side of history and condemn the aggressors,” the statement added.
The embassy further said Iran remains open to diplomatic engagement but will not compromise on what it calls its right to defend its sovereignty, emphasizing that any future negotiations must be grounded in mutual respect and international law.
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