In an interview with Al Jazeera on 18/4, broadcast after Tehran confirmed National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani was assassinated by Israel, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the United States and Israel have yet to recognize that the Iranian government does not rely on a single individual.

"I do not understand why the United States and Israel still fail to grasp this point: The Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure with established political, economic, and social institutions. The presence or absence of one individual does not impact this structure", Araghchi said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on 17/2. Photo: AFP.

The Iranian Foreign Minister explained that while each high-ranking official within the system holds influence and a specific role, the critical point is that "Iran's political system has a very solid structure" and "cannot be dealt a fatal blow" by airstrikes targeting specific individuals.

Referring to the Israeli airstrike that assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the conflict on 28/2, Araghchi noted that "the system continued to function" despite this loss.

"Even if a leader has been martyred, the system continues to operate and immediately appoints a replacement. If anyone else falls, the situation will remain the same. If the Foreign Minister is killed, there will also be a replacement", Araghchi emphasized.

Araghchi's remarks came before the Israeli Defense Minister announced today that Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib had been killed in an airstrike on the capital Tehran last night. Iran has not yet confirmed this information.

CNN reported on 18/3, citing a senior Israeli intelligence official, that the assassination campaign targeting a series of high-ranking Iranian officials is "sowing chaos" within Tehran's leadership.

"Iran has been impacted 6-10 times more severely than during Operation Rising Lion. They are struggling with policy planning and decision-making. We are witnessing chaos, and the situation is expected to worsen in the near future", the Israeli official stated, referring to the 12-day conflict in 6/2025.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed on 17/3 that Larijani, his son, and bodyguards were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Iran responded by firing a series of missiles, including some carrying cluster warheads, at Israel.

The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has entered its 19th day with no signs of de-escalation. Over 2,000 people have died in the clashes, primarily in Iran and Lebanon.

Ngoc Anh (According to Al Jazeera, CNN, AFP)