President Museveni has criticized key global actors involved in the ongoing Middle East conflict, calling for an end to violence and pursuit for diplomatic solutions.

Museveni, in his address on June 24, 2025, condemned both the Iranian Islamist position on Israel and their refusal to implement the two-state solution before they started blaming Western powers for their role in escalating tensions in the region.

“We have good relations with both Israel and Iran, and we believe that both sides must be heard in order to reach a lasting peace. However, there are key mistakes that have been made by several actors,” Museveni said.

In quoting the Biblical text, Museveni condemned the stance of Iranian Islamists, explaining that Israelis (Jewish people) have had a long connection to the region

“I have told the Iranian Islamists, even when I visited Iran, that their stand on Israel is a mistake. Israel has a historical and legitimate claim to the land,” he stated.

Further, Museveni criticized Western powers, particularly the CIA, for their role in the 1953 coup that overthrew Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh.

He argued that this intervention led to the deep resentment that fueled current tensions.

“In 1953, the CIA overthrew the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran to steal Iran’s oil. This is what created the deep resentment,” he said.

His statement comes in response to a complaint by the Iranian Ambassador to Uganda, who expressed dissatisfaction with Uganda’s silence on the issue.

The President warned against the dangers of religious fundamentalism, whether Islamic or Christian, citing historical examples like the Inquisition and the destruction of Sudan.

He emphasized that external military intervention has never been a solution, urging all actors in the region to embrace diplomacy before calling on people of faith around the world to pray for wisdom and guidance in resolving the conflict.