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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday rejected claims by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured and disfigured.
"There is no problem with the new supreme leader. He is performing his duties according to the constitution and will continue to do so ," Araghchi said in an interview with MS Now.
The foreign minister also denied claims that Iran had completely closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes, saying instead that the passage was blocked only for ships bound for the US and Israel.
" It is closed only to American and Israeli ships and tankers, and not to others ," he said.
Commenting on the ongoing attacks by US and Israeli forces against Iran, Araghchi vowed revenge for the US military attack on Kharg Island, which handles the bulk of Iran's oil exports, and said Iran's armed forces will attack any energy infrastructure linked to US companies in the region.
Araghchi claimed that the attacks were launched from UAE territory, specifically from Ras al-Khaimah and a location near Dubai, which he described as "very dangerous" and "unacceptable" given the proximity to the civilian population.
" Our armed forces have already responded that they will retaliate if our oil and energy infrastructure is attacked ," Araghchi said.
Asked about Russian and Chinese military support, Araghchi acknowledged the two countries as "strategic partners" with ongoing military cooperation, but declined to provide details.
Araghchi denied ever threatening to use Iran's enriched uranium stockpile as a weapon, saying he was trying to convey the scale of potential concessions Iran was willing to make.
" We were close to reaching an agreement. This is the reality. This is a war imposed on us. We did not start this war. We are only defending ourselves ," he added.
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