WANA (Mar 03) – In a comprehensive televised interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi detailed the Islamic Republic’s strategic and diplomatic positions following recent regional escalations. He clarified that Iran’s military and political confrontation is strictly directed at the United States and the Israeli regime, not its neighbors.

 

The Assassination of a Global Religious Leader

The Foreign Minister stated that the Supreme Leader was not just a political figure, but a “great religious leader” whose followers extend far beyond Iran’s borders.

 

“The followers of the Supreme Leader encompass a massive religious and political population,” Araghchi noted. He pointed to widespread protests across the region in recent days against this “criminal act,” mentioning that in one country, protesters were attacked by U.S. Consular guards, resulting in ten deaths. He emphasized: “The action of the Americans and the Zionist regime in martyring the Supreme Leader was beyond a crime; it was a ‘religious’ crime.”

 

Miscalculations and Future Consequences

Araghchi suggested that the perpetrators failed to grasp the magnitude of their actions. “I think they did not understand what they did and what protests and consequences it has had and will have. I believe we will witness more movements and protests in this field in the future.”

 

No Hostility Toward Regional Neighbors

Addressing his consultations with regional foreign ministers, Araghchi clarified Iran’s stance on the geographical scope of the conflict: “In these conversations, I emphasized that from our point of view, the war is not regional; rather, it is a war between Iran and America that has expanded into the region. We have no war with regional countries except the Zionist regime.”

 

He urged these nations to avoid “emotional positioning” and instead pressure the U.S. to end this “illegal and criminal war.” Araghchi noted that while Americans use regional bases to attack Iran, Tehran’s response is directed at those foreign forces. “We are not facing off against neighboring countries; we are facing the American soldiers residing in these countries.”

 

Political Deterrence and Post-War Legal Actions

Araghchi outlined the Foreign Ministry’s role as the “voice of the Iranian people” on the international stage. Regarding future steps, he noted: “In the 12-day war, I told my colleagues that when the war ends, the work of the armed forces in a way ends… but we in the Foreign Ministry have responsibilities both during and after the war. After the war, it is our duty to collect documentation related to this aggressive and illegal attack and use it to hold the perpetrators and their partners accountable.”

 

He stressed that the country must achieve both “political and military deterrence” simultaneously.

Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 1, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

U.S. Forces Moving to Hotels

In a notable observation, Araghchi commented on the shifting movements of foreign troops: “The fact that the Americans want to evacuate their bases and be stationed in hotels becomes a significant matter of relevance.” He reaffirmed Iran’s right to self-defense: “The enemy attacks us from various directions, and we attack them from various directions as well.”

 

The Logic of Indirect Negotiations: Avoiding Deception

Responding to questions about the indirect negotiations with the U.S. held before the war, Araghchi clarified that Iran entered the talks with “calculation and tact” under the supervision of the Supreme National Security Council.

 

“We entered the negotiations knowing they had other intentions. It was clear what their goals and plans were, but we negotiated to prove to the whole world that their intentions were hostile… so they couldn’t claim they requested talks and the Islamic Republic refused.”

 

He added that if Iran hadn’t negotiated, public opinion might have thought war could have been avoided through talks. “We did this to show that the truth is with us and they are looking for aggression. We were not deceived; I had said many times that we knew this might all be a trick.”

 

Internal Readiness: From Missiles to Bread

Araghchi praised the synchronicity between diplomacy and defense. “The armed forces did not look at us at all. I had a mission to perform, and the armed forces and the government did their jobs. When the war started, within one hour the armed forces reacted, and the government provided bread, food, and gasoline—which we see is still provided until now.”

 

Exposing the Myth of Military Superiority

The Foreign Minister highlighted the recent crash of three American F-15s in Kuwait as a sign of vulnerability. “If their claim is true that it was due to an error in the Kuwaiti defense system (supplied by Americans), they are questioning the dignity of their own army by hitting three of their own planes simultaneously.”

 

He questioned the narrative that regional territory isn’t used for attacks: “How were these planes in the airspace of Kuwait or Iran? This is a very strange story.” He contrasted this with Iran’s success: “Our missiles constantly hit their targets, both in their regional bases and in the Zionist regime. Despite all their defensive layers, they have been unable to contain our missiles.”

 

Diplomatic Offensive and Protests to Kuwait

Regarding immediate diplomatic steps, Araghchi announced:

  • Protest to Kuwait: “Tomorrow we will submit a note to the Kuwaiti government. If their claim is true that these planes were downed by Kuwaiti defense, Kuwait must explain what these planes were doing in its airspace.”
  • International Organizations: Araghchi wrote at least three letters to the UN Secretary-General and requested an emergency Security Council meeting, where Russia and China supported Iran.
  • Global Outreach: The issue was raised with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the IAEA.

 

“We have started an extensive effort… my colleagues are constantly interviewing with foreign networks, and I have done several myself. Our ambassadors are meeting and interviewing with local media to reflect the voice of the Iranian people in a world dominated by Western media,” Araghchi concluded.

Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 1, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)