UN Mission Rejects Report over Al-Qaeda Chief’s Sheltering in Iran

A UN report based on intelligence supplied by member states has claimed that a veteran Egyptian extremist, named Saif Al-Adel, thought to be based in Iran is now the de facto leader of Al-Qaeda.

The US has also said its assessment aligns with the UN report concluding that Al-Adel is based in Iran. The State Department added Al-Adel has become the chief following the July 2022 death of Ayman Al-Zawahiri.

Permanent Mission of Iran to the UN has categorically denied the allegations levelled by the world body and Washington.

“The global network of Al-Qaeda was dismantled after the death of Osama Bin Laden and the organization is no longer in existence but its extremist ideology still persists,” the mission wrote on Twitter.

It added that the emergence of Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL) terror group has taken the place of Al-Qaeda and has given rise to “a new form of terrorism”.

“It is worth noting that the address for the so-called newly appointed Al-Qaeda leader is incorrect. This misinformation could potentially hinder efforts to combat terrorism,” it said.

Iranian officials say the country is perceived to be at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, highlighting Tehran’s contribution to the regional peace, security and stability.

They blasted the Western states for their double-standard policies on terrorism and reiterated that Iran’s fundamental stance is to condemn terrorism in any type and method.

Back in mid-July, Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi underlined the need for fight against all forms of terrorism to protect peace in the region.

“Terrorism may have different kinds, but fighting terrorism under any name is necessary in order to guarantee the security and stability of borders and states,” the Iran’s president underscored.

Tehran calls terrorism and extremism as result of the inefficiency of the current international situation, and stresses it wants a world free from violence and extremism. Iranian officials say Tehran has lost more people than any other country in the fight against terrorism. Iran has been the target of terrorist attacks in the past few decades and thousands of its citizens have been martyred by the terrorist groups.