"You cannot change a regime where millions of people support it", Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi told NBC News on 28/2 from the capital, Tehran, which had just endured airstrikes by the US and Israel.
In a video posted on Truth Social after launching airstrikes on Tehran and other areas in Iran, US president Donald Trump accused Iran of pursuing nuclear ambitions and developing missiles threatening US territory, compelling Washington to act.
Trump called on Iranians to seek shelter and "take back the government when we are done", describing this as a "once-in-a-century opportunity". Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the campaign by Tel Aviv and Washington would "enable brave Iranians to seize their destiny".
"Some people complain and criticize the Iranian government, but there are also those who show strong support. We also have a very stable political structure", the Iranian foreign minister stated. "The US and many other countries have tried and failed in the past, so if they wish to repeat it, there will be no better outcome".
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Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi speaking in Geneva, Switzerland on 17/2. *AFP*
Foreign minister Araqchi also expressed his confusion as to why "they attacked us" when Iranian and US delegations had met in Geneva, Switzerland, on 26/2 with the goal of preventing conflict escalation and with "an agreement within reach".
"We had resolved important questions regarding Iran's nuclear program. We clearly had disagreements, but we had addressed a portion and were determined to continue to fully resolve the issue", Araqchi said.
The US and Israel announced they had targeted defense and intelligence facilities, as well as a number of high-ranking officials and generals in Iran. Araqchi stated that two military commanders had been killed, while Iran's senior leaders remained safe, including president Masoud Pezeshkian, the speaker of parliament.
"According to my knowledge, supreme leader Ali Khamenei is still alive", Araqchi said. Hours later, president Trump declared Khamenei had died because he "could not escape the sophisticated intelligence and surveillance systems of the US and Israel".
Iran has not commented on this information. Khamenei had not made any public statements in 24 hours since the US and Israel began their attacks.
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Satellite image reportedly showing the destroyed residence of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. *CNN*
The strikes resulted in over 200 deaths in Iran, including the daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and grandchild of supreme leader Khamenei. Tehran retaliated with ballistic missile and drone volleys targeting Israel and US bases in Middle Eastern countries, killing at least one person in Israel. Both sides continue to exchange attacks.
Foreign minister Araqchi stated that Tehran "has no contact" with Washington but wishes to de-escalate tensions and is ready for negotiations once the airstrikes conclude. He affirmed that Iran's airstrikes on US bases in the Middle East were acts of self-defense.
By Nhu Tam (Based on NBC News, AFP, Reuters)
