The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Roey Gilad, has welcomed the current ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but tempered optimism with a stark warning: as long as Iran remains under its current leadership, lasting peace will remain elusive.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Ambassador Gilad reflected on the historic relationship between Israel and Iran, pointing to a more cooperative era prior to Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“There was harmony before 1979,” he noted. “But with the radical clerical regime still in place, we have no illusions. We might enjoy a pause in hostilities, but returning to the pre-revolution era of bilateral friendship is simply not realistic under current conditions.”
The ambassador described the ceasefire as a step in the right direction but underscored that normalization of relations would require substantial political change in Tehran.
“For more than just a ceasefire, we need a democratic Iran. Is that possible? I don’t know,” he said, stressing that Iran’s internal political structure remains the greatest obstacle to regional peace.
Ambassador Gilad’s comments come in the aftermath of a 12-day Israeli military campaign aimed at neutralizing what he called “critical threats” from Iran, including nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure.
“This wasn’t just an Israeli operation,” he explained. “It was carried out on behalf of the moderate bloc in the Middle East—nations like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan and others—who share the goal of checking Iran’s regional ambitions.”
According to the envoy, Israeli strikes targeted strategic sites in Isfahan and Natanz, both associated with Iran’s nuclear program. While assessments of the long-term damage are ongoing, he said the operation had achieved its primary objectives.
“We inflicted significant damage on military assets. Whether that delays Iran’s nuclear ambitions by months or years remains to be seen. But make no mistake—we drew a clear line: we went after military infrastructure, not civilian targets.”
He noted that U.S. forces also took part in the operation, reportedly striking deeper sites inaccessible to Israeli aircraft, which he said likely resulted in “major additional setbacks” to Iran’s capabilities.
Ambassador Gilad also addressed the global ripple effects of the conflict, acknowledging the economic toll, particularly rising energy costs that have impacted Ghana and other African nations.
“We recognize that the war has had economic implications for countries like Ghana. This wasn’t lost on us. Our hope is that the sacrifices made now will lead to greater stability and a lasting peace,” he said.
Turning to Iran’s domestic situation, the ambassador was critical of the regime’s governance and its priorities.
“The Iranian people deserve better. Electricity shortages, a crumbling economy, poor welfare systems—these are the real issues. Instead, billions are funneled into weapons and foreign militias,” he said.
He described the country as being “ruled by fear,” with dissent crushed and public discourse tightly controlled. “There is opposition, but people are afraid. No one wants to be the next to disappear,” he remarked.
Ambassador Gilad also questioned the value of Iran’s aggressive military investments. “The regime promised the destruction of Israel—and they’ve failed. All those billions wasted. Maybe now they’ll turn inward and fix their own house.”
Though the ceasefire remains fragile, the ambassador expressed hope that it could serve as a foundation for a broader regional shift—one led by pragmatism, mutual respect, and a rejection of extremism.
His comments are likely to provoke a strong response from Tehran, which has long rejected calls for regime change and accused Israel of sowing instability.
However, Ambassador Gilad insisted that Israel’s position is grounded in a desire for a more peaceful and democratic Middle East.
