The Iranian Embassy in Nairobi has hit back at fresh allegations linking Tehran to a terror plot in Kenya. In a fiery statement issued on June 25, the Embassy dismissed the reports as “delusional” and politically motivated.
This comes amid a swirl of speculation from some media outlets, which quoted an alleged Kenyan intelligence warning of possible attacks during the anniversary of the June 25 anti-government protests.
Iran, however, insists the claims are baseless and designed to damage its diplomatic relations with Kenya and the region at large.
Iran Bombing Kenya Allegations Called Malicious and Baseless
The embassy’s statement came just hours after a report emerged quoting unnamed sources within Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), claiming that Iran-backed operatives could be planning an attack in Nairobi.
According to these reports, the threats were allegedly tied to the timing of the Gen Z-led protests marking their one-year anniversary. In response, Iran’s diplomatic mission said the “Iran Bombing Kenya” allegations are entirely fictitious.
“Such delusional and fabricated scenarios are the product of hostile elements,” the Embassy declared, accusing foreign actors of attempting to destabilize relations between Iran and African nations.
Iran’s officials emphasized that the Islamic Republic has always been on the frontline in the global fight against terrorism, not a perpetrator of it. “As one of the primary victims of terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently fought against terrorist organizations such as Daesh (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda,” the statement added.
In addition, the embassy warned Kenya’s authorities and media outlets against circulating security reports that are unverified, warning that such publications could damage bilateral ties and cause unnecessary panic.
The Embassy also made it clear that Iran has no operatives carrying out clandestine activities on Kenyan soil and reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to peaceful cooperation with Nairobi.
Iran and Israel War Raises Global Tensions
The allegations surface at a tense time internationally. Since June 13, Iran has been engaged in open conflict with Israel, following a series of military strikes and counterstrikes in the Middle East. This flare-up led to widespread casualties, with hundreds killed and thousands displaced across the region.
The conflict finally reached a shaky ceasefire on June 24, brokered by Qatar and other international mediators. However, diplomatic analysts fear that the ceasefire may only be temporary.
Iran has described Israel’s attacks as “Zionist aggression,” accusing Tel Aviv of expanding its influence and attacking Iranian allies across the region. Israel, on the other hand, claims it is acting in self-defense against Iranian proxies operating in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
These tensions have heightened global fears of proxy warfare and false-flag operations in foreign countries—including in Africa, where both Iran and Israel have maintained embassies and diplomatic missions for decades.
Kenya Urged to Stay Neutral and Verify Intelligence Reports
With the security situation in the Middle East escalating and regional alliances shifting, the Iranian Embassy urged the Kenyan government to approach such sensitive issues with caution and neutrality.
“Publishing unverified claims and baseless threats under the guise of intelligence briefings risks inflaming public fear and causing diplomatic harm,” the Embassy stated.
Kenya has long maintained ties with both Iran and Israel. Any suggestion of supporting one side in the conflict could complicate Kenya’s foreign policy stance and diplomatic relations, especially at a time when the country is grappling with its own internal unrest.
During the June 25 protests in Nairobi and other major cities, chaos erupted as demonstrators clashed with police officers. Bonfires were lit, tear gas was fired, and several people were reportedly injured. While the protests were not directly tied to international issues, the timing of the terror plot claims has added a new layer of complexity to an already tense political environment.
