ASTANA, March 12. /TASS/. Iranian ambassador to Kazakhstan, Ali Akbar Jokar, warned of possible instability in Iran following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel, emphasizing the risk of extremists and terrorists infiltrating Central Asian countries from the Middle East.

Speaking at a press conference, Jokar stated, "There is a real danger for the Central Asian region. If unrest spreads widely in Iran, it could lead to destabilization and increased infiltration of extremists and terrorists from the Middle East. However, thanks to the strength of the Iranian government and the stability within Iran itself, there is currently no imminent threat to Kazakhstan or the broader Central Asian region."

He further highlighted the challenging geopolitical landscape, noting, "The current outlook is bleak because the rule of law is not being observed in international relations. Should any geopolitical maneuvering occur in Central Asia or Kazakhstan, it would no longer be centered around Iran but would instead reflect a contest among great powers," emphasizing the shifting dynamics of regional influence.

Jokar asserted Iran's stance of resilience, saying, "Iran has no choice but to resist these attacks." He also expressed concerns about the broader implications, including the negative impact on the global economy, energy markets, and supply chains. The ambassador noted that many European, Asian, and Middle Eastern nations desire a swift end to the conflict, but lamented the lack of decisive action. "Before hostilities erupted, no substantial measures were taken to prevent the escalation of US actions against Iran. Some US allies even opposed participating in the attack," he remarked, urging the international community to uphold international law and the UN Charter to resolve the crisis.

The current military escalation began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched a coordinated attack on Iran, striking major cities including Tehran. The White House justified the operation by citing alleged missile and nuclear threats from Tehran. In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale counterattack targeting Israeli positions, as well as US military installations across Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The strikes resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several other high-ranking officials.