As tensions escalate with the United States and Israel following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is directing its attacks at US military bases in the Gulf rather than neighbouring countries.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi stated that Iran’s operations are aimed at American assets involved in actions against Iran. He emphasised that Iran is not targeting friendly Gulf nations but is focusing specifically on US military bases and facilities supporting operations against Tehran.
His remarks came after UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan criticised Iran for launching missile strikes at parts of the UAE. Explosions were also reported in several Gulf countries after Iran responded to US and Israeli strikes, with blasts heard in Dubai and Doha, while Oman was reportedly hit for the first time as the conflict widened.
Araghchi explained that Iran cannot directly attack US territory and is therefore focusing on American bases and installations in the region. He said Iran is acting in self-defence in response to US military actions and has no alternative but to target US facilities operating from Gulf countries.
He added that Iran is attempting to confine its strikes to military targets. According to him, after evacuating bases, US personnel moved to hotels, effectively using civilians as shields, making it more challenging to limit attacks strictly to military sites. He maintained that Iran is trying to focus only on military personnel and infrastructure aiding US operations.
Describing the conflict as a war forced upon Iran by the US and Israel, Araghchi said regional countries should direct their anger toward Washington and Tel Aviv rather than Tehran. He urged them not to pressure Iran to halt the fighting but instead to call on the opposing side to stop.
The minister said Iran would continue to resist as long as the attacks persist, arguing that the US and Israel would not achieve their goals through the conflict. He also condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as illegal and destabilising, saying the assassination of a nation’s leader by foreign forces was unprecedented and would further complicate and intensify the crisis.
