Hassan Doutaghi, Iran’s Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau, launched a scathing critique against the US and Israel, branding them as “aggressors” responsible for the “assassination of the supreme leader” and the invasion of his country. He firmly asserted that Middle Eastern nations are self-sufficient and do not require “imported security.”
Doutaghi portrayed Iran as a resilient nation under siege, emphasizing the “decisive, determined, and resilient” spirit of its people. He reiterated, “The argument is very clear. They are the aggressor. They invaded my country. They assassinated the supreme leader of my country.” He urged all nations to “voice condemnation” and called upon the international community to hold the US and Israel accountable for their actions.
Expressing gratitude to The Standard for two editorials – one on China’s role in preventing global conflict and another advocating for the preservation of Persian heritage – Doutaghi accused Western media of deliberately obscuring atrocities. He cited a school bombing that claimed the lives of 168 children as a “heinous” war crime, declaring that “The international legal system does not deserve to continue. It is being violated by its very creators.”
Regarding the global energy crisis, Doutaghi squarely placed the blame on US-Israeli attacks. He clarified that “The Strait of Hormuz is not closed,” but accused Washington of attempting a “naval blockade” against Iran. He maintained that responsibility for the economic fallout “lies with the aggressors, not the victim,” and defended Iran’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
On the issue of nuclear ambitions, the Consul General stressed that diplomacy remains the sole viable solution, yet characterized the West as an “unreliable partner.” He insisted that Iran’s nuclear activities are “completely peaceful,” a fact he stated has been confirmed multiple times by the International Atomic Energy Agency, with Iran accounting for only 3 percent of global peaceful enrichment.
When confronted with accusations from Israel’s CG Amir Lati regarding Iran’s alleged sponsorship of terrorism through groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, Doutaghi refused to engage. “I am not talking to any representative of the other regime. My country is rooted more than 7,000 years. We are very civilized. A genocidal regime does not have any legitimacy to talk about Iran.”
He emphatically stated, “We don’t need imported security… US security is a big lie,” adding that Middle East powers are fully capable of protecting themselves and that recent conflicts have exposed Western unreliability. He observed, “The world is witnessing the rise of alliances led by the Global South, determined to resist the law of the jungle.”
Addressing domestic unrest that preceded the war, Doutaghi acknowledged constitutional rights to protest but asserted that demonstrations were “misused by small quasi-terrorist groups.” He alleged that foreign entities attempted to desecrate the Quran and damage public buildings, concluding that while they “tried to bring the people of Iran to their knees, but it has made Iran more united and stronger.”
Looking ahead, Hassan Doutaghi expressed hopes of bringing a touring exhibition of Persian antiquities to Hong Kong, offering a glimpse into a civilization under siege. He highlighted millennia of Chinese-Persian exchanges, dating back to 119 BCE, and noted the enduring legacy in Hong Kong through the Parsi community, descendants of Persian Zoroastrians who founded key institutions in the city.
Doutaghi also referenced US President Donald Trump’s past threats to destroy Iran’s “whole civilization” and the damage inflicted on over 130 heritage sites, including the Unesco-listed Golestan Palace in Tehran.
Despite the tensions, he reported an overwhelming outpouring of sympathy from Hong Kong, with officials signing a book of condolences and strong support from both Sunni and Shia Muslim communities. He commended Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu for fostering unity and for his governance.
Labeling sanctions as an “anti-human term,” Doutaghi highlighted growing ties with Hong Kong and continued cooperation with China through non-dollar channels and the Belt and Road Initiative. He advocated for wider use of non-dollar currencies, noting Iran’s proposal for the yuan in oil trading, giving rise to the term “petroyuan.” He also mentioned the vibrant Iranian student and professional community in Hong Kong.
During the interview at the Iranian consulate, there were no security checks, but Consul General Hassan Doutaghi only allowed pre-submitted questions, for each of which he had a meticulously prepared answer. His office featured a somber room dedicated to victims of recent US-Israeli attacks, adorned with photographs and a portrait of former Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. A diplomat with a PhD in history, Doutaghi arrived in Hong Kong last year and proudly showcased Persian handicrafts in his office, including carpets, Minakari enamel art, and intricate Koranic verse art.
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