WANA (Jul 13) – Seyed Mahmoud Nabavian, Deputy Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, has disclosed detailed information about covert communications from the United States ahead of Iran’s missile attack on the Al-Udeid Air Base.

 

According to Nabavian, the Americans suggested a specific military site for Iran to target, but Tehran chose to strike a different base based on its own strategic judgment.

 

“The Americans sent us exact coordinates and told us, ‘Hit this base,’ but we struck the base we found appropriate—not what the U.S. recommended,” Nabavian stated.

 

In an interview, Nabavian praised the swift response and operational readiness of Iran’s military forces following recent attacks by Israel and the United States. He emphasized the rapid appointment of new commanders after the assassination of Iranian officers:

 

“After our commanders were martyred, their replacements were appointed within hours thanks to the wisdom and leadership of the Supreme Leader. From the very first hours, they were prepared and entered into operation. On just the afternoon of the first day of the aggression, approximately 150 missiles and 350 drones were launched toward enemy targets.”

 

Nabavian continued: “By the second and third day, the decisive superiority of the Iranian nation on the battlefield became evident. On the fourth and fifth days, repeated and direct requests from various countries for a ceasefire began. However, the Supreme Leader firmly rejected any negotiation or compromise.”

 

“The Americans Provided a Location to Hit”

Referring to the covert aspects and behind-the-scenes messages surrounding Iran’s missile response to Israeli aggression, Nabavian said: “Before Iran’s attack, the Americans sent a message through one of the regional countries. They even provided the location of a military base and suggested we hit that.”

 

He explained: “Around noon on Saturday—one day before Iran’s response—one of the countries in the region contacted us and conveyed a message from the Americans. The same America that had attacked us and was threatening severe retaliation if we responded was now begging: ‘If you’re going to strike back, don’t hit us.’”

 

Details of the Confidential Message

Nabavian revealed further details:

“On the night of the Israeli attack, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio contacted a minister from one of the regional countries. That minister then passed the message to our Foreign Minister, saying that Israel intends to attack, but ‘we (the U.S.) have no involvement—please do not target us.’”

 

He continued:

“Even the next day, on Sunday morning, another message came from the Americans: ‘If you’re going to respond, go ahead and hit one of our bases—we don’t mind!’ It was as if they wanted to drag us into a staged performance. We asked the Qataris where the target was. They said, ‘Wait, we’ll consult with the Americans.’ Then the Americans sent us precise coordinates and said, ‘Hit this base.’”

 

“Nonetheless, we struck the base we chose—not the one the Americans proposed. We targeted a key American air base in Qatar, one of their most important operational centers in West Asia.”

 

Shift in U.S. Tone After Iran’s Strike

Nabavian stated that the American attitude shifted dramatically after Iran launched its missile and drone response:

 

“Before the attack, the U.S. openly said that if Iran retaliates, we will respond harshly. But once we hit, their tone changed. They contacted us again, asking for a halt. They begged us ten—maybe even twenty—times. The Iranian people should know: the Americans were truly desperate, in every sense of the word.”

 

“The Iranian Nation Stood Against All of NATO”

Concluding his remarks, Nabavian emphasized the steadfastness of the Iranian people and their leadership in the face of foreign threats:

 

“By God, the Iranian nation stood against the entirety of NATO and came out victorious. We will certainly defeat the enemy. Victory is written on the forehead of this nation, and defeat is written on the forehead of the world of disbelief.”