Araghchi: Assassination of the Leader Will Complicate the Confrontation
Tehran - BORNA - Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed in the interview that the assassination of Iran’s Leader was an extremely serious and unprecedented act and a clear violation of international law.
He added: “This war was chosen by the United States and Israel, and pressure must be exerted on them. I hope our neighbors will convey their dissatisfaction to them.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized: “We have instructed our armed forces to exercise caution regarding the targets they bombard in the region. Our neighbors cannot expect us to sit idly by and watch attacks launched against us from their countries. We maintain good relations with the countries across the Persian Gulf, and they have no problem with us. We are not attacking our neighbors in the Gulf states; rather, we are targeting the American presence in those countries. We began striking U.S. military bases in the region, which prompted them to start evacuating them. I am constantly in contact with my counterparts in the region and have explained the situation. I know some are not pleased and some are angry. We understand that Gulf countries are upset about our strikes, but they must understand that this is a war imposed on us.”
The head of Iran’s diplomatic apparatus further stated: “I see no limitation on defending ourselves. There are no restrictions or constraints before us in exercising self-defense. We have initiated a legal process, and a transitional council was established today to manage affairs.”
He added: “Affairs in the country are proceeding in an orderly manner, and everything is in accordance with the Constitution. If their objective is regime change, that is an impossible task, and the absence or death of the Leader does not mean that this will occur.”
Araghchi continued: “State institutions are functioning, and we have constitutional procedures in place. You may witness the selection of a Supreme Leader within the next one or two days.”
Stating that Iran has always been open to diplomacy — unlike the United States, which attacked Iran for the second time during negotiations — he said: “This time the situation is different. They must explain why they did this, but only after halting the attacks.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister stressed: “Everything depends on when the aggression stops. We do not expect anything from anyone, and we are capable of defending ourselves.”
Referring to the fact that Iran’s army units are now operating independently and separately in accordance with general directives previously issued to them, he added: “At present, we have no intention of closing the Strait of Hormuz, and at this stage, there is no plan to take any action that would disrupt navigation there.”
He concluded: “If there is an effort to end the aggression, they must stop the attack and explain why they carried it out, and then we will consider the response.”
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