Iran Asserts Right to Self-Defense Amid US-Israel Airstrikes

(MENAFN) Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said his country will continue to defend itself against ongoing US-Israeli airstrikes, insisting that no foreign leader has the authority to dictate Iran’s response.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against retaliatory action. In a social media post early Sunday, Trump wrote:
"Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before. THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!"

Responding in an interview broadcast Sunday, Araghchi rejected the notion that Iran should refrain from counterattacks. "I don't think any leader of a country has the right to say so. No."

He emphasized that Tehran views its actions as legitimate self-defense. "We are defending ourselves, and we have every right, every legitimate right, to defend ourselves," said Araghchi.

"What we are doing is the act of self-defense. There are huge differences between these two," he said.

He further underscored Iran’s determination to continue resisting the attacks. "We are defending ourselves; whatever it takes; and we see no limit for ourselves to defend our people, to protect our people," he added.

When asked whether diplomatic engagement with Washington remained possible, Araghchi expressed skepticism. He described previous nuclear negotiations with the United States as "a very bitter experience" for Iran.

He also argued that Iran had been targeted during sensitive diplomatic moments, noting that strikes occurred both on Saturday and last June while talks with Washington were underway and, from Tehran’s perspective, showing progress. Araghchi claimed that Israel and some of Trump’s advisers had “dragged” the US president into war, despite signs that a peaceful outcome might have been achievable following discussions held in Geneva on Thursday.

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