Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday pushed again on claims from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Iran’s newly named supreme chief, Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded and disfigured.
“There is no problem with the new supreme leader,” Araghchi mentioned in an interview with MS Now. “He is performing his duties according to the constitution, and he will continue to do that.”
Strait of Hormuz: The overseas minister additionally denied claims that Iran had absolutely closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial oil delivery routes, as a substitute saying the passage was solely blocked to vessels with ties to the US and Israel.
“It is only closed to American, Israeli ships and tankers, and not to others,” he mentioned.
Regional assaults: Commenting on the continued strikes by US and Israeli forces towards Iran, Araghchi vowed retaliation for the US army strike on Kharg Island, which handles most of Iran’s oil exports, and mentioned that Iran’s armed forces will strike any vitality infrastructure tied to American corporations within the area.
Araghchi claimed the strikes have been launched from UAE territory, particularly from Ras al-Khaimah and a location close to Dubai, which he described as “highly dangerous” and “unacceptable” given the proximity to civilian populations.
“Our armed forces have already answered that they would retaliate if our oil and energy infrastructure are attacked,” Araghchi mentioned.
Foreign help: Asked about Russian and Chinese army assist, Araghchi acknowledged each nations as “strategic partners” with ongoing army cooperation however declined to supply particulars.
Nuclear talks: Araghchi denied ever threatening to weaponize Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, saying he was making an attempt to convey the dimensions of potential concessions Iran was ready to make. “We were close to reach a deal,” he mentioned. “That is the reality.”
“This is an imposed war against us,” he mentioned. “We didn’t start this war. We are only defending ourselves.”
UAE response: Anwar Gargash, a senior diplomatic adviser to the president of UAE, mentioned Araghchi’s feedback accusing the Emirates of aggression towards Iran are “part of a confused policy that has misdirected its aim, lost its compass, and forsaken wisdom.” In an X put up, he mentioned that Araghchi has “condemned his own country” and “entrenched its isolation.”
Gargash talked about that the UAE made “sincere efforts” to mediate and keep away from a war between the US and Iran. He added that the UAE “continues to prioritize reason and logic, maintaining restraint and seeking an exit for Iran and the region, but noted that “the UAE has the right to self-defense in the face of this terrorist aggression.”