Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday claimed he was inside the office of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei when it was targeted during the first wave of US-Israeli strikes in Tehran on February 28, an event that triggered the broader Middle East conflict. He stated that he emerged from the rubble, deeply concerned for Khamenei's safety, whose death was confirmed by Iran on March 1.
Araghchi's Account of the Attack
Speaking to Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen television, as cited by Iran's Press TV, Araghchi said, "At the moment of his (Khamenei's) martyrdom, I was in the office that was attacked. My first thought and my first concern was the condition of the Leader." The top diplomat further revealed that he spent two days uncertain about Khamenei's fate while overseeing evacuation efforts. He added that despite repeated advice to relocate, Khamenei had refused, quoting the late leader as saying, "I will not go to a shelter or to a secure location unless every member of the Iranian people also has access to a safe place... Whatever happens to my people will happen to me as well."
Warnings to Gulf Countries
Araghchi also pointed to Tehran's prior warnings to Gulf countries that the use of US military bases against Iran would invite retaliation. "Had these US bases not been present in Iran's neighbouring countries, they would not have come under retaliation," he remarked, criticising the American "security umbrella." He added that regional governments opposed such use of their territory, but Washington "proceeded regardless."
Iran's Response and Leadership
Araghchi argued that Iran's response caught its adversaries, including US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, off guard. "No one anticipated Iran's immediate and powerful retaliation despite the scale of the assault," he added. On leadership, Araghchi asserted that Khamenei's son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, now holds full authority. "Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei has a highly influential and strong presence in the country's ongoing affairs and holds full control over the reins of authority," he stated. Amid reports about Mojtaba's condition and whereabouts, Araghchi maintained that communication with the new Supreme Leader remains constant and directives are implemented without interruption, describing national consensus as a source of strength. "The same level of obedience and loyalty shown to the martyred Leader persists fully toward the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution," he said.
Fragile Ceasefire
The US-Iran war has been on a pause since April, when Trump announced a ceasefire. However, the truce remains fragile, with sporadic attacks, stalled negotiations, and deep mistrust between both sides threatening to derail the arrangement. (With ANI inputs)
