MOGADISHU, (HAN) – A senior Somali diplomat has defended the government’s decision to side with Western nations against Iran, a move that surprised many Somalis and Muslim-majority countries closely monitoring the situation in Tehran.
Speaking to Inside Somalia on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, the diplomat argued that Somalia had repeatedly requested meetings with Iran’s foreign minister to address Tehran’s alleged support for the Houthis in supplying weapons to Al-Shabaab. Those efforts, he said, ended in failure.
“Somalia understands that Iran plays a major role in this issue, and that addressing it could reduce the flow of illegal weapons the Houthis deliver to Al-Shabaab,” the diplomat explained. He noted that Somali allies recently intercepted and destroyed three boats carrying arms intended for the militant group.
Somalia reportedly sought talks on the issue during the recent OIC and Arab League summit in Doha, but Tehran failed to engage. Earlier this year, both governments had acknowledged the matter, with Iran promising to work toward a solution. However, no progress was achieved, frustrating Somali officials.
According to the diplomat, Iran has continued to overlook Somalia’s security concerns despite Mogadishu defending Tehran during times of intense Western criticism. “Somalia was under pressure from Western countries, but Iran has not urespected Somalia’s security,” he said.
Somalia, which currently holds a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, believes it now has significant leverage that compels other nations to engage with it.
The diplomat described Mogadishu’s decision as a message to Iran, demonstrating Somalia’s growing influence and signaling that further dialogue on Iran’s role in regional instability is unavoidable.
