‘I was in my position that was attacked’: Iran’s top diplomat Araghchi recalls Khamenei’s ‘martyrdom’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi claimed on Friday that he was inside the office of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei when it was attacked during the first wave of US-Israeli strikes in Tehran on February 28 that sparked conflict in the Middle East.He said that he emerged from the “wreck” out of fear for the fate of Khamenei, whose death was confirmed by Iran on March 1.“At the moment of his (Khamenei’s) martyrdom, I was in the office that was attacked. My first thought and first concern was the condition of the leader,” Araqchi told the Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV channel, quoted by Iran’s Press TV channel.The Islamic Republic’s top diplomat also stated that he spent two days “unsure” about Khamenei’s fate while supervising the evacuation efforts, adding that despite repeated advice to move, Khamenei refused.Araqchi quoted Khamenei as saying, “I will not go to a shelter or to a safe place unless every member of the Iranian people can reach a safe place… Everything that happens to my people will also happen to me.”Araqchi also referred to Tehran’s previous warnings to Gulf states that using US military bases against Iran would lead to retaliation.He pointed out that “if these American bases had not been present in the countries neighboring Iran, they would not have been subjected to retaliation,” criticizing the American “security umbrella.”

He added that regional governments opposed such use of their territory, but Washington “went ahead regardless.”He said Iran’s response surprised its “opponents,” including US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He added: “No one expected Iran’s immediate and strong retaliation, despite the scale of the attack.”Regarding leadership, Araqchi stressed that Khamenei’s son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei now has full authority.

He added, “Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei has a very influential and strong presence in the country’s current affairs and fully controls the reins of power.”Amid reports about Mojtaba’s condition and whereabouts, he stressed that communication with the new Supreme Leader remains ongoing and that directives are being implemented without interruption, describing the national consensus as a source of “strength.”He added: “The same level of obedience and loyalty shown by the martyr leader continues in full towards the new guide of the Islamic Revolution.”The war between the United States and Iran has stopped since April 8, when Trump announced a ceasefire. However, the truce remains fragile, as sporadic attacks, stalled negotiations and deep mistrust between the two sides threaten to derail the arrangement.(with ANI inputs)