Tehran- IRAF- Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Iraqchi stated in a television interview on the evening of February 29 that despite recent events, Iran has strengthened and progressed, standing against the seemingly powerful army of the United States and Israel.
The Minister stated that despite the loss of their leader and senior commanders, Iran has stood firm against the strongest apparent army in the world. This army, along with another army that claims significant power and benefits from the latest military technology advancements, has a vast array of armed forces on land, sea, and air. Everyone has witnessed the large-scale military mobilization against Iran and the full-scale attack. However, Iran has stood firm, and over the past three days since the war began, everyone in the region and the world has been amazed at how the Islamic Republic has stood against such a large army and responded with powerful answers.
The Supreme Leader was like a father to Us
Iraqchi emphasized that the reason for this is that this entity has developed a strong structure that is not damaged by the coming and going of individuals. Of course, this loss is heavy for us; our hearts are bleeding, and we are deeply saddened by the departure of martyrs, especially the Supreme Leader, who was like a father to us. Indeed, this loss is like losing a great father for a family.
These issues are preserved in their place, but the Islamic Republic, founded by Imam Khomeini and then the Supreme Leader, has become so consolidated, and its foundations have become so rooted in the earth and its hands have reached up to the sky that it can break, resist, and stand firm like a mountain against fierce storms like the one we are currently fighting.
The Supreme Leader was not just a Political Leader/ The Scope of His Followers Extended Far Beyond Our Borders
The head of the diplomatic apparatus stated that in diplomatic consultations, it has been emphasized that the Supreme Leader was not just a political leader but also a great religious leader whose followers and believers extend far beyond Iran’s borders. The religious and ideological followers and enthusiasts of the Supreme Leader form a large population across the Islamic world.
In the past two to three days, we have witnessed movements and protests in various countries. For example, in one country, ten people were martyred by the US consulate guard. Those who protest to us about why protesters were shot, while they were armed and acted in a terrorist manner and were confronted, should answer why the consulate guard shoots at protesters when they gather in front of their consulate to protest this inhumane act. These individuals were not even in our country, but they sacrificed their lives to protest the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader.
Assassination of State Leaders is a Serious Violation of International Law
Iraqchi stated that over the past three days, a wide range of actions have been taken, including repeated contacts with foreign ministers, especially in the region and beyond. In these contacts, the great injustice imposed on the Iranian people has been explained, and the situation has been clarified. It has been emphasized that the assassination of state leaders is a serious crime and completely unacceptable from the perspective of international law.
Even the UN Secretary-General has pointed to this issue, and many others have addressed it in their messages, especially considering that the Supreme Leader was not only a political leader but also a religious leader at the regional and even trans-regional level. Presidents of various countries, including the President of Nicaragua, the President of Russia, and presidents of countries in the region and neighboring countries, have sent condolence messages, which demonstrate the greatness of his position.
The US and Israel Have Not Yet Realized the Gravity of Their Crime
He stated that the action taken by the Americans was, in fact, a religious crime, beyond a political crime. The assassination of a country’s leader is a great crime in itself, but the assassination of a religious leader with a wide range of followers is a much greater crime with heavier consequences.
In my opinion, they have not yet fully understood the crime they have committed and the consequences of this action. The consequences will become apparent in the widespread protests of the Supreme Leader’s followers, which have already begun, and it seems that we will witness more movements in the future.
We Warned that the US War with Us Would Not Be Limited to These Two Countries
The Foreign Minister stated about the consultations with regional counterparts that we had warned, even over the past year, that if the US enters a war with us, this war cannot be limited to Iran and the US, but will encompass the entire region. This is not because we intend to expand the war to the region, but simply because US bases and facilities are scattered throughout the region.
When the US attacks us through its fighter jets, ships, missiles, and other military equipment, we do not have direct access to its soil, but we have access to its bases in the region, and from our perspective, these bases are considered legitimate targets. This is because they are used to attack us and belong to a country that is aggressing against us.
The Assassination of 160 Innocent Girls in a School is No Joke
Iraqchi added that some regional friends claim that no bases on their soil are used against Iran. Even if we assume this claim is correct, these bases belong to a country that targets various points in our country every day, including hospitals and schools. It’s no joke that over 160 innocent girl students in a school were killed by American bombs and missiles. In such circumstances, the argument that a base should not be targeted because it did not directly participate is not acceptable.
I discuss these issues with regional foreign ministers daily and explain repeatedly. I have talked to some of them several times, although perhaps only once in the media. Even today, I spoke with one of the regional ministers several times and detailed the reasons for our attacks on American forces in the region.
The Foreign Minister stated that we have repeatedly emphasized that we have no hostility towards our neighboring countries. Our policy has always been one of good neighborliness, both in past governments and in the recent year, despite all the problems caused by war and other issues. Our neighbors have been a priority in our foreign policy, and we have made great efforts to expand relations with them.
However, the situation is different now. We are not dealing with our neighboring countries; we are dealing with American forces stationed in bases on their soil, the same forces that attack us in various ways every day and night. The Israeli regime also plays a role in this.
Iraqchi stated that from our perspective, this war is not a regional war but a war between Iran and America that has unfortunately expanded to the region. We have no war with regional countries, except with the Israeli regime. However, due to the dispersion of American forces in various regional countries, we are forced to confront them. This confrontation is with America.
We hope that regional countries understand this reality and refrain from taking emotional positions. They should understand the situation we are in and pressure America instead of pressuring the Islamic Republic for attacking American targets on their soil.
They claimed to have the best military technology, but everyone sees their repeated mistakes. Today, three of their F-15 aircraft fell. The reasons for their downfall remain; their claim is interesting, saying it was due to an error by Kuwait’s air defense system.
If this claim is true, the air defense system in the region, supplied by the Americans themselves and based on their systems, targeted their own aircraft. This means they undermine their army’s prestige and credibility by simultaneously destroying three of their own aircraft with their own systems.
Our missiles continuously hit their targets, both in their bases in the region and in the Israeli regime. Despite all the multiple layers of air defense they have created to counter our missiles, they have failed to prevent them.
Therefore, the power they claim is not entirely fictional; they are indeed a great power. However, the notion that they are a force that no one can stand against has proven to be incorrect. It has become clear that one can stand against them and use technology to strengthen one’s capabilities.
The important thing is to believe in ourselves, trust our youth, have faith in our armed forces, and stand against them with power. God has also promised victory to those who stand firm, and this victory will be achieved, God willing.
The US Has Betrayed the Negotiations
He pointed out that the Americans are continuously in contact with others, raising this issue, and I have also provided explanations. All parties acknowledge that this action took place in the midst of negotiations. This fact further proves the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Islamic Republic has always been a proponent of logic, dialogue, and negotiation, while it was the US that betrayed the negotiating table.
The Foreign Minister explained that we entered into dialogue with the knowledge that they might have other objectives. It was clear what their intentions and plans were. The question arises as to why we entered into negotiations. We did so to prove to the entire world that their intentions were to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran and that their approach was hostile. We negotiated to make it clear that the right is on our side and to finalize our argument with the world and our people.
Iraqchi emphasized that if we had not entered into negotiations and war had occurred, there might have been a question in public opinion as to whether negotiation could have prevented war. He explained that we also tested this path to show that the problem was not on our part and that it was they who were seeking aggression. We were not deceived; from the beginning, we knew what possibilities existed. I had stated multiple times in various sessions and even in national media that all of this could be a kind of deception, and therefore, we were vigilant.
He stressed that the armed forces were doing their job and were not waiting for my decision; I had my mission, and they had theirs. The government also performed its duties. Therefore, when the war began, the armed forces reacted within an hour, and the government was ready to provide the basic needs of the people, including bread, food, and fuel, which has been done to this day. All agencies were prepared because the possibility of deception was high.
The Foreign Minister stated that we participated in negotiations to show that we are advocates of reason, logic, and dialogue and not averse to negotiation, while at the same time, the true face of their enmity towards the people of Iran was revealed.
In important matters, the Islamic Republic follows legal paths and decision-making processes, and this case also followed the same process. We participated in these negotiations and were not harmed; rather, we showed the world that we were advocates of negotiation, while they were advocates of force and imposing their demands.
He added that we will present a note to the Kuwaiti government tomorrow. If their claim is correct and these aircraft were shot down by Kuwait’s air defense system, the Kuwaiti government must explain what these aircraft were doing in its airspace. We will submit this protest note. Over the past three days, we have also sent numerous notes to various countries and summoned their ambassadors.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that we must be the voice of the Iranian people abroad. We are doing this job while standing against all foreign media and officials who, in unison with Western and European officials, continuously take positions against us. We must be able to defend our country’s positions and, in simple terms, reflect the voice of the Iranian nation.
In the legal and judicial dimension, we are also obligated to defend the rights of the Iranian people. In my previous experience, I told my colleagues that when the war ends, the armed forces will have completed their mission, but our work will just begin. We have duties both during and after the war.
Iraqchi stated that after the war, documents must be collected, raised in legal and international forums, and mechanisms for accountability for those responsible for the war and their partners must be pursued. At the same time, we and the armed forces must follow measures that lead to deterrence against future attacks or any other possible attack. Deterrence has both military and political aspects, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must pursue political deterrence, which will be done with seriousness, God willing.
