Araghchi: Rockets That Hit Khark Island Were Fired From UAE Territory
WANA (Mar 14) – Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that the rockets fired at Khark Island were launched from the territory of the United Arab Emirates from two locations in that country. He also provided details about the final round of negotiations held before the outbreak of the war, emphasizing that Iran did not start the conflict and is only acting in self-defense.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke today, Saturday, March 14, in an interview with the MS NOW network about last night’s U.S. attacks on Khark Island and other developments related to the war and previous negotiations.
Iran’s response to the attack on Khark
At the beginning of the interview, Araghchi referred to the U.S. attack on Kharg Island and said Iran’s armed forces had already made it clear that if the country’s oil and energy infrastructure were targeted, such attacks would certainly be retaliated.
He said that during last night’s attack, the islands of Khark and Abu Musa were targeted with the HIMARS rocket artillery system, a short-range rocket system that, according to him, was fired from the territory of neighboring countries.
The foreign minister stated that the attacks were tracked by Iranian forces and that it has now been determined the rockets were launched from the United Arab Emirates from two locations: one in Ras Al Khaimah and the other from a place very close to the city of Dubai.
According to Araghchi, using densely populated areas to launch rockets is extremely dangerous. He stressed that Iran will certainly respond to the attacks but will try to do so carefully so that no residential areas are targeted.
Report on the Situation in Khark Island Following the U.S. Attack
WANA (Mar 14) – Khark Island was targeted by U.S. airstrikes earlier today. Field sources reported that more than 15 explosions were heard across the island during the attacks. According to these sources, the United States attempted to damage several facilities, including the army’s air defense systems, the Joshan naval pier, the airport control […]
Situation in the Strait of Hormuz
Araghchi also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the strait has not been completely closed. According to him, only tankers and ships belonging to what he described as Iran’s “enemies” are prevented from passing.
He emphasized that many ships and oil tankers are still passing through the Strait of Hormuz, although some prefer not to use the route due to security concerns.
Leadership and Iran’s political structure
Responding to a question about the condition of Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Araghchi said many claims have been made about the matter but noted that it will soon become clear that there is no problem with the new leader.
He stressed that the Islamic Republic is not dependent on a single individual or a specific group, adding that the system has deep roots in society and that governing institutions are continuing to carry out their duties.
Cooperation with Russia and China
In another part of the interview, Araghchi addressed reports claiming that Russia and China are providing targeting intelligence to Iran.
He said the two countries are Iran’s strategic partners and that close cooperation with them continues.
Without going into details, he added that Iran maintains good cooperation with Russia and China in political, economic, and even military fields.
Iran’s stance on the UN Security Council
Araghchi also referred to the recent United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on neighboring Arab countries.
Criticizing the resolution, he said the Security Council suffers from a lack of fairness in its decisions and questioned how Iran could be condemned for defending itself while, according to him, the United States and Israel were the ones who started the war.
He stressed that Iran’s actions are carried out within the framework of legitimate self-defense.
Targeting U.S. interests in the region
Responding to questions about strikes on facilities in Persian Gulf countries, Araghchi said attacks against Iran are being carried out from U.S. bases and military installations located in those countries.
He added that in response, Iran targets U.S. bases, facilities, assets, and interests that are unfortunately located in the territory of neighboring countries.
Araghchi’s account of the last round of negotiations
In the final part of the interview, Araghchi discussed the negotiations held before the war and said significant progress had been achieved during the February 26 meeting in Geneva.
According to him, Oman’s foreign minister, who served as mediator, also confirmed that meaningful progress had been made.
Araghchi rejected claims that Iran had intended to build a nuclear weapon, saying he had only referred to the existence of 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a matter he said is documented in reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
He added that Iran had even been ready to hand over the material or dilute it to reduce the enrichment level.
Araghchi concluded by sayingthat Iran had been very close to reaching an agreement at that time and expressed hope that the truth about what happened during the Geneva negotiations would soon become clear to the public.
