Iran Vows to Defend Itself Amid Escalating Tensions with US and Israel

in

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated today that the US and Israel have ‘decided to blow up’ diplomacy by launching attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran will defend itself ‘with all necessary means,’ Araghchi emphasized following American strikes against key installations of Iran’s nuclear program. When asked if there is still room for diplomacy after the US attack, Araghchi replied ‘not now.’ ‘The door of diplomacy should always remain open, but not at this moment,’ he stressed. ‘My country has been attacked and must respond based on our legitimate right to self-defense.’ The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to defend its territory, sovereignty, security, and people with all necessary means, Araghchi said during the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul. He added that the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities constitutes an ‘unforgivable violation of international law.’ Furthermore, a high-ranking Iranian official warned Reuters that any move targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would ‘slam the door’ on any agreement or negotiation and could trigger an ‘unlimited response.’ For Iran, such an act could be seen as crossing all red lines, justifying an ‘unlimited and unrestricted reaction,’ the Iranian official declared.