'Stand on the right side of history': Iran faults Kenya’s position on Gulf crisis

On April 1, 2026, Sing’Oei revealed that he had held a phone conversation with Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates, where he was apprised on the impact of attacks attributed to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on critical infrastructure in Gulf Cooperation Council countries. 

He expressed Kenya’s solidarity with the UAE, in line with the position of President William Ruto, and emphasised Nairobi’s support for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate 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," read part of Sing'Oei's post on X. 

In a rejoinder, the Embassy of Iran in Kenya sought to justify Tehran’s actions amid rising hostilities involving the United States and Israel.

The embassy argued that aggression in the region stems from the actions of the United States and what it termed the “Israeli regime,” citing provisions under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3314 on the definition of aggression.

It claimed that the use of regional territories by foreign powers to launch attacks against Iran constituted a violation of international law.

It further accused both Washington and Tel Aviv of breaching Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, describing such actions as the root cause of the current crisis.

Defending its position, Tehran maintained that its military actions were carried out in lawful self-defence, insisting that operations targeted only military installations and adhered to principles of proportionality and necessity under international law.

The embassy also addressed concerns over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, saying that any disruptions to maritime traffic were a direct consequence of what it termed U.S.-Israeli aggression.

"As the coastal state, Iran has introduced necessary restrictions to ensure safe passage. Vessels belonging to non‑belligerent countries may conduct innocent passage in coordination with Iran," read part of the Embassy's post on X. 

"Clearly, vessels of belligerent parties - especially the U.S. and the terrorist Israeli regime, as well as those serving their interests - cannot use this waterway."

The Embassy called on other nations to condemn the aggressors and stand on the right side of history by aligning with Iran. 

At the same time, it reaffirmed its readiness to defend its sovereignty and national security.

The development comes after US President Donald Trump recently threatened to wipe out a “whole civilisation” if Tehran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within the coming hours.

The warning follows a series of back-and-forth attacks involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

The escalating conflict among the three nations has highlighted the fragile state of diplomacy, with no public signs of a breakthrough to end the conflict.