Cuba will fight if attacked, says ambassador to Iran

Cuban Ambassador to Iran Jorge Fernando Lefebre Nicolas has stated that Cuba will fight if attacked by the United States, drawing parallels between the US sanctions and military threats faced by both Cuba and Iran. In an interview with the Tehran Times, the ambassador discussed the severe impact of US sanctions on Cuba, the possibility of US military aggression, and the need for multilateralism.

Ambassador Lefebre Nicolas highlighted that US sanctions against Cuba have intensified under President Donald Trump, with over 200 sanctions imposed during his first term and an additional 20-30 in his second term. He noted two particularly harsh measures: a sanction threatening any country that sells oil to Cuba, and another sanctioning all countries and companies doing business with Cuba. This has led to a dire humanitarian situation, with hospitals running out of fuel, agriculture paralyzed, and transportation halted.

Regarding the possibility of US military action, the ambassador expressed concern that the Trump administration, after failing to topple the Iranian government in a war that was supposed to last only a few days, might seek a victory elsewhere, potentially targeting Cuba. He warned that the US is fabricating pretexts for aggression but asserted that the Cuban people and army would offer fierce resistance, similar to what Iran has shown. "We will fight if we must fight," he said.

On the role of international organizations, the ambassador criticized the United Nations for failing to uphold international law and prevent unilateral actions by the US. He cited the silence on US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and the double standards regarding attacks on nuclear sites in the UAE. He also condemned the lack of action on the genocide in Gaza and Israeli aggression in Lebanon.

Ambassador Lefebre Nicolas called on countries in Latin America and West Asia to learn from the experiences of Iran and Cuba, emphasizing that no country is safe from US greed. He stressed the importance of defending sovereignty together. Regarding support from Russia and China, he acknowledged their friendship but stated that Cuba relies primarily on its own defense capabilities, while appreciating global solidarity.

Finally, he evaluated Iran-Cuba relations as strong, with 47 years of diplomatic ties and cooperation in biotechnology, including vaccine production. He expressed hope for stronger economic ties, noting that Iran has shown it is possible to develop under sanctions. According to the Tehran Times, the interview covered these issues in depth.