Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that his country’s recent strikes against American military targets were carried out as part of Iran’s right to self-defence.
In an interview with US media, the Iranian official said the attacks were a reaction to a war that had been imposed on Tehran by the United States and Israel.
Araghchi stated that Iran never intended to start a conflict but had to respond after being attacked. He described the confrontation with Iran as unjustified and unnecessary.
“Iran did not initiate this war,” he said. “Our actions are purely defensive and aimed at protecting our country.”
The foreign minister said Iranian forces targeted US military bases, installations and other strategic assets in the region as part of their counter-response to the attacks.
He also accused Israel and its allies of targeting civilians during the ongoing tensions. According to Araghchi, Iranian citizens, including female students, have been killed while hospitals have also been attacked.
The minister noted that the ceasefire that followed last year’s 12-day conflict had already been broken. He argued that calls for another ceasefire without addressing the root causes of the war would not solve the crisis.
“A lasting peace is only possible if the war permanently ends,” he said. “Until then, Iran will continue defending its people and national security.”
Araghchi also commented on speculation about who could become the next supreme leader of Iran. He said no one currently knows who will take the position and that rumours circulating in the media are premature.
He explained that the decision will ultimately be made by the Assembly of Experts, a body made up of 88 senior Islamic scholars elected by Iranian voters.
The Assembly of Experts is constitutionally responsible for selecting and overseeing the country’s supreme leader.
The Iranian foreign minister concluded by rejecting outside pressure on Iran’s internal affairs and dismissed calls for “unconditional surrender” reportedly made by former US President Donald Trump.
He said Iran would never accept such demands and insisted that decisions about the country’s future would be determined by its own people.
