The United States and Israel are “killing our people,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with NBC. He claimed that civilians, including female students, have been killed and accused the two countries of attacking hospitals.
Araghchi said the ceasefire that ended last year’s 12-day war has already been destroyed by Israel and the United States. He rejected calls for another temporary truce.
“There must be a permanent end to the war,” he said. “If that does not happen, we will continue to fight for our people and our security.”
Four sources told NBC News that Russia has shared information with Iran about the locations of U.S. forces in the Middle East. The information could help Tehran track American warships.
Asked about Russian support, Araghchi said cooperation between Iran and Russia is not new. He did not confirm whether Russian intelligence helps Iran locate U.S. military assets.
“They help us in many different ways, but I do not have detailed information,” he said.
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that Iran will no longer attack Gulf countries unless they help U.S. or Israeli strikes. He also apologized to the region after Iranian attacks caused casualties in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Araghchi insisted Iran does not intentionally attack its neighbors. He said Iranian forces target American bases and facilities located in those countries.
He warned that if U.S. ground troops enter Iran, Iranian forces are ready to fight.
“They will confront any enemy that enters our territory,” he said.
Trump previously claimed Iran could soon develop missiles capable of reaching the United States. Araghchi rejected that claim and called it misinformation.
He said Iran has the capability to produce such missiles but has deliberately limited their range to under 2,000 kilometers.
Iranian state media reported that the Assembly of Experts has selected a new supreme leader after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, Araghchi said the name has not been announced.
“There are many rumors,” he said. “We must wait for the Assembly of Experts.”
He also rejected Trump’s suggestion that the United States should play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader.
“This is a matter for the Iranian people,” Araghchi said.
Source: cnn.gr
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