“Kenya Not in Our Crosshairs”: Iran Moves to Calm Fears as Middle East Tensions Boil Over

Iran has assured Kenya that it is not a target as fighting intensifies in the Middle East. The message was delivered in Nairobi by Iranian Ambassador Dr Ali Gholampour during a media briefing. He sought to ease concerns that the conflict could spill beyond the region.

The envoy stated that Kenya does not host a U.S. military base capable of launching attacks on Iran. “This country does not provide a US military facility with a magnitude to attack Iran,” he said. He stressed that there would be no reason for Tehran to consider Kenya part of the battlefield.

The remarks follow deadly strikes that Iran attributes to the United States and Israel. Tehran says the attacks killed senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes across parts of the Gulf, raising alarm across the region.

Dr Gholampour described the initial assault as “a fragrant violation of international peace and stability.” He argued that Iran has the right to defend itself under international law. He also issued a warning to Washington and Tel Aviv, saying, “You have opened a door that you cannot close.”

The escalating conflict has disrupted air travel. Countries such as Iraq, Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced partial airspace closures. In Kenya, Kenya Airways suspended flights to Dubai and Sharjah as a precaution.

President William Ruto condemned the widening missile exchanges, warning that regional escalation poses a serious threat to global stability. He called for dialogue and multilateral engagement to reduce tensions. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also advised Kenyans in the Middle East to remain vigilant.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that continued military action risks triggering events “that no one can control.” For now, Kenya remains outside the conflict zone, even as global anxiety grows.