Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "in good health and continues to fully manage the country," as hostilities between Tehran and Washington continue to escalate across the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Araghchi made these remarks in an interview with the London-based The New Arab (Al-Araby Al-Jadeed) newspaper. The minister assured that the situation in Iran remains stable, with officials performing their duties effectively. He reiterated that the supreme leader is actively overseeing the nation's governance.
Araghchi expressed Iran's readiness to collaborate with regional countries to establish a joint investigation committee. This committee would aim to ascertain the nature of the targets recently attacked and determine any American affiliations. He emphasized that Iran's retaliatory measures have been directed at "US bases and interests in the region" in response to assaults on Iran originating from these locations.
He further disclosed that Tehran had gathered intelligence suggesting that the US and Israel have been conducting attacks from specific sites targeting Arab states. Araghchi assured that no civilian or residential areas in the region have been targeted by Iran thus far.
The foreign minister issued a warning regarding potential retaliatory strikes on American companies if Iranian oil facilities come under attack. He stated, "If our energy facilities are targeted, we will also target the facilities of American companies in the region."
Araghchi also claimed that the US has developed a drone similar to Iran's Shahed drone, named 'Lucas,' allegedly used in strikes within Arab countries. However, he noted that this information is still under review.
He highlighted ongoing diplomatic communications with neighboring countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. These diplomatic engagements aim to mediate tensions and propose solutions to end the ongoing conflict. Araghchi affirmed Iran's openness to any proposals that could lead to a "complete end to the war."
Additionally, he mentioned that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit corridor for oil tankers, remains accessible to all nations except the United States and its allies.
Tensions have intensified since February 28, following joint attacks by Israel and the US on Iran, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties, including the death of then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes on Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries housing US military assets.