Iranian MP Ebrahim Azizi criticizes US over Rubio's remarks on civilization

Iranian Member of Parliament Ebrahim Azizi, who serves on the Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, posted a statement on his X account on Saturday criticizing the United States. He wrote, "A country whose history began with the massacre of indigenous people and has never for a moment ceased its colonialism and bloodshed, accuses the Achaemenids, the authors of the world's first human rights declaration, of committing crimes!" Azizi emphasized that this reflects a fundamental hostility toward Iran and the Iranian people.

His remarks came after Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's portrayal of Western civilization during a visit to Greece. Baghaei accused Rubio of presenting a selective historical narrative that links ancient Greece to the modern United States to legitimize the use of force. He argued that Rubio's interpretation emphasized power and national will while overlooking the Greek tradition's critiques of imperial ambition, arrogance, and aggression.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, with Iranian officials pushing back against US characterizations of history and civilization. Azizi's post directly references the Achaemenid Empire, known for the Cyrus Cylinder, which is often described as the world's first human rights declaration. By invoking this historical legacy, Azizi contrasts it with US actions, which he describes as colonial and violent.

Baghaei's criticism of Rubio's speech in Greece adds a diplomatic dimension, suggesting that Iran views such narratives as attempts to justify foreign intervention. The timing of these statements, both on Saturday, indicates a coordinated response to Rubio's remarks. Neither US officials nor Rubio have publicly responded to these criticisms.

According to Mehr News, the statements by Azizi and Baghaei reflect Iran's continued opposition to US policies and rhetoric, framing them as historically rooted in hostility. The report by Mehr News added that the Iranian officials' comments underscore a broader ideological divide, with Iran positioning itself as a defender of ancient heritage against perceived Western aggression.