Abbas Araghji (archive photo)
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi claimed that the bombing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s residence, which killed the then-Supreme Leader, was made possible by the hack, which he described as a “security vulnerability” that is still active.Araqchi claimed that the hack allowed the United States and Israel to obtain information and influence the decision-making process during the conflict.Araqchi told the documentary “War Adventure 2,” according to the ANI website, “The house bombing occurred through a security loophole, and this security loophole still exists. This security loophole also has an impact on the direction of decision-making.”According to Araqchi, the United States and Israel had knowledge of meetings that included Iran’s senior leadership.The Iranian Foreign Minister added: “The enemy was aware of these meetings, and the reason for this is most likely the security vulnerability that may still exist and which the security forces are searching for. I believe that this security vulnerability is not only active in infiltrating and obtaining information, but also in directing decisions and directing our psychological space.”The senior diplomat claimed that the “attackers” were aware of Khamenei’s daily routine and targeted the site accordingly.
“I think they knew that the man was in his office every morning and that the target was within reach. The enemies realized that the leaders’ meeting was being held near him, and that is why they chose that moment to attack,” he said.Araqchi also claimed that an unnamed regional leader warned him before the conflict not to target Iranian leadership. “One of the regional leaders happily told me that war was certain and asked us not to respond because they were targeting the leadership.
I said that any point in Iran that is attacked will be met with a reciprocal response.”Araqchi claimed that the United States believes that eliminating the Iranian leadership will lead to the collapse of the regime.“Later, America said to the countries of the region: Be patient for a month, the war will end, and after that the issue will end forever.” The Venezuela experience gave the United States an incorrect analysis that if the leadership was eliminated, the regime would collapse.
Now our friendly countries say they warned them that Iran is different. “Although we did not neglect the military aspect of the 40-day war, we neglected to protect political officials,” he added, referring to the US military intervention in Venezuela in January, which ousted Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face drug and terrorism charges.Araqchi praised his colleagues who remained with him in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs throughout the conflict.He said, “During the war, which lasted 40 days, I, my colleagues, and my deputies did not leave the Foreign Ministry building. There was no safe place.”He added that he continued to use his mobile phone to communicate with foreign ministers, Iranian embassies and other officials despite the security risks.“I had to do all my calls with foreign ministers, interviews, and our embassies,” Araqchi said. “The only thing that somewhat reduced the risk factor was that we spent hours during the day driving around the city.”He also revealed that he attended meetings in underground facilities but did not stay there.He added, “I went to the tunnel once or twice for meetings, but I didn’t stay in the tunnel. There are a lot of tunnels. There are also a number of fortified buildings, but since there might be another war, let’s save them for that time.”
