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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday of deceiving American voters by submitting to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wishes, claiming the Israeli leader has grown "accustomed to exploiting the lives and wealth of US citizens" to further Israel's objectives.
Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul before an Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting, Araghchi said the recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were designed to save Netanyahu's political career, demonstrating the Israeli prime minister's influence over American politics.
"The U.S. administration bears full responsibility for the serious repercussions of the aggression," Araghchi said, calling for an emergency UN Security Council session and warning that "silence in the face of hostile actions will lead the world to a dangerous stage."
The Iranian foreign minister declared that his country "has the legal and legitimate right to defend itself within the framework of the U.N. Charter" and would "take all necessary measures" in response to what he called U.S. military aggression and Israeli attacks.
Araghchi said Iran was engaged in diplomacy when the U.S. attacked, accusing Washington of betraying "democracy and negotiations."
He dismissed calls for Iran to return to diplomatic talks, saying "there's little point" since the U.S. and Israel "have proven they're not in favor of diplomacy" and "only understand the language of threats."
"The door to diplomacy must always remain open, but that is not the case now," he said, adding that with the overnight strikes, "there is no red line" the U.S. has not crossed.
The foreign minister criticized the U.S. for dealing "a blow to the principle of nuclear non-proliferation," questioning why countries pursuing peaceful nuclear energy should rely on the Non-Proliferation Treaty when it cannot protect Iran despite its "full commitment."
Condemning what he called a "brutal" military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, Araghchi described the strikes as an "outrageous, grave, unprecedented violation of fundamental principles of the Charter of the U.N." and international law.
Araghchi announced he would travel to Moscow Sunday afternoon to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday to discuss the situation following the U.S. attacks.
The foreign minister also referenced comments by the German chancellor, saying, "It's very unfortunate that Israel is doing, as the German chancellor called it, a dirty job. They supported that dirty job; it's a shame."
Iran continues to defend its territory and sovereignty "by all means" against U.S. military aggression and Israel's unlawful actions, Araghchi said, warning that diplomacy may no longer be possible after the U.S. crossed "every red line" with attacks on nuclear facilities.
Speaking from Istanbul, Araghchi emphasized Iran's commitment to self-defense, stating, "We were attacked, and we must respond by our legitimate right to self-defense." He declared that Iran "will protect Iran not only against U.S. military aggression but also against Israeli attacks."
The foreign minister warned that Iran would defend its territory and sovereignty "by all means" against what he characterized as unlawful U.S. and Israeli actions, signaling potential retaliation for the nuclear facility strikes.
Araghchi dismissed international calls for renewed diplomacy, describing them as "irrelevant" given that talks were already ongoing when the U.S. attacks occurred. He accused the U.S. of betraying ongoing negotiations, saying Iran was "in the middle of diplomacy when the U.S. attacked. Who betrayed democracy and negotiations?"
The foreign minister argued there was little value in diplomatic overtures, stating, "There's little point in calling on Iran to return to diplomacy" after the U.S. and Israel demonstrated they "only understand the language of threats."
Addressing Iran's adherence to international nuclear agreements, Araghchi questioned the effectiveness of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, asking "why countries pursuing peaceful nuclear energy should rely on the treaty" when it failed to protect Iran despite the country's "full commitment."
The foreign minister condemned what he described as an "unprecedented violation of fundamental principles of the Charter of the U.N. and international law" through the targeting of Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities.
During his remarks in Istanbul, Araghchi also referenced international criticism of Israeli actions, noting, "It's very unfortunate Israel is doing, as the German chancellor called it, a dirty job. They supported that dirty job; it's a shame."
The foreign minister concluded his remarks by reaffirming Iran's position that it would continue to defend itself against both U.S. military aggression and Israeli attacks, while maintaining that diplomatic channels appeared foreclosed following the strikes.
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