Kenya will not be targeted in the ongoing missile exchanges involving Iran, the United States and Israel, Iranian Ambassador to Kenya Ali Gholampour has said, offering reassurance as global anxieties mount over the widening Middle East conflict.
Speaking to the press in Nairobi on Monday, March 2, the envoy firmly dismissed fears that Kenya could be drawn into the hostilities, stressing that the country neither hosts a U.S. military facility capable of attacking Iran nor falls within the operational range of Iranian missiles.
“Our missiles will not reach the Kenyan territory,” Gholampour said.
“Our government has deliberately limited the range of missiles for defensive purposes only, to demonstrate our peaceful intention.”
He added bluntly, “Iran will not target Kenya. Kenya doesn’t provide a U.S. military facility with the magnitude to attack Iran.”
He added bluntly, “Iran will not target Kenya. Kenya doesn’t provide a U.S. military facility with the magnitude to attack Iran.”
The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and its adversaries, following a series of strikes that have shaken the Gulf region and raised concerns about the safety of allied nations beyond the Middle East.
While dismissing any military threat to Kenya, the ambassador acknowledged that the conflict could still have indirect consequences for African economies.
While dismissing any military threat to Kenya, the ambassador acknowledged that the conflict could still have indirect consequences for African economies.
Disruptions to key trade routes, rising insurance costs for commercial shipping, and instability in global energy markets could negatively affect Kenya and its neighbours, he warned.
Gholampour urged the United Nations and other international bodies to take the lead in de-escalation efforts, calling for urgent negotiations and strict adherence to international law.
“We did not seek this war; it has been imposed on us,” he said.
“We did not seek this war; it has been imposed on us,” he said.
“But now that it has been imposed, the world will witness what Iran is capable of when its dignity, sovereignty and leaders are attacked.”
Kenya maintains a long-standing security partnership with the United States, particularly in counterterrorism operations.
Kenya maintains a long-standing security partnership with the United States, particularly in counterterrorism operations.
The most notable U.S. military presence is at Camp Simba, located within the Kenyan-owned Navy Base at Manda Bay in Lamu County, a key hub for operations against Al-Shabaab.
Despite this cooperation, Iranian officials insist that Kenya’s role does not place it on Tehran’s list of potential targets.
President William Ruto has, however, expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence.
President William Ruto has, however, expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Head of State condemned Iran’s recent attacks on Gulf countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, warning that the conflict threatens international peace and security.
“At this defining and perilous moment in global history, longstanding multilateral institutions remain indispensable,” Ruto said, calling for diplomacy to prevent further regionalisation of the war.
As images of bombed buildings circulate and global markets react nervously, Kenya finds itself watching events closely.
“At this defining and perilous moment in global history, longstanding multilateral institutions remain indispensable,” Ruto said, calling for diplomacy to prevent further regionalisation of the war.
As images of bombed buildings circulate and global markets react nervously, Kenya finds itself watching events closely.
For now, assurances from Tehran and calls for restraint from Nairobi underline a shared message: while the conflict is dangerous and far-reaching, Kenya is not a battlefield — but it is not immune to the ripple effects of a world on edge.
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