Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi says security breach behind bombing of Ali Khamenei’s residence ‘may still exist’ | Today’s news

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has admitted that the security breach that allowed the bombing of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s residence during the opening phase of the war remains unresolved, describing it as a vulnerability that “probably still exists”.

In an interview with Persian-language television, Araghchi said the February 28 strike was possible because the attackers knew exactly Khamenei’s plan and the high-level negotiations taking place in the compound.

“They knew that the leader (Ali Khamenei) was in the office every morning. From what I understand, the command center meeting was also held two or three buildings away and they chose that exact moment. The intelligence ministry meeting was also held at that time,” Araghchi said.

“Therefore, the attack on the Leader’s office occurred because of a security vulnerability, and this vulnerability probably still exists.

Attack the high-level management meeting

Araghchi said he warned President Masoud Pezeshkian on the morning of February 28 that “the atmosphere is one of war” before meeting with senior Khamenei adviser Ali Asghar Mir Hijazi at around 9am.

Shortly thereafter, Israeli forces struck the compound in Tehran where Khamenei was attending a high-level meeting.

According to Araghchi, several strategic meetings were going on simultaneously.

“At the time, it was not uncommon to hold simultaneous meetings, but hostile knowledge of these meetings was the result of a breach of information that probably still exists.”

The attacks killed Khamenei and many senior Iranian military commanders, dealing a major blow to Iran’s command structure.

“War was certain,” says the foreign minister

Araghchi said Iran had opened negotiations with the United States despite believing further military confrontation was inevitable.

“I was sure (the war would happen again) … our military forces were sure; we ourselves were sure.”

He said the purpose of resuming diplomacy was to ensure that Iran could not later be accused of refusing to negotiate.

“Because we were sure, we said there should be one or two rounds of negotiations. Maybe the other side would back down from the zero-enrichment demand, although that was unlikely.”

“If they didn’t, we would have our justification. Nobody, not the international community, not the people at home, could then say it was our fault that we should have negotiated. That was the philosophy of our entry into the negotiations.”

He rejects criticism of diplomacy

Responding to criticism from political rivals that the talks weakened Iran’s position, Araghchi rejected suggestions that the talks had damaged his credibility.

“We are not here to do anything for our personal credibility or to preserve our own reputation.”

“I am the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. My responsibility is to protect the interests of the Islamic Republic, not my personal reputation.”

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The Supreme Leader has the final say on war and peace

Araghchi also reiterated that Iran’s Supreme Leader has the final authority over decisions regarding war and ceasefire.

“The Supreme National Security Council is responsible for assessing the situation regarding war or ceasefire, but the ultimate decision rests with the Supreme Leader.”

He added that Iran had resumed talks after Washington renewed its demand that Tehran stop enriching uranium and warned of possible military action.

“The decision was made to resume negotiations to make it clear that Iran has exhausted its diplomatic options.”

Comments on Mojtaba Khamenei

During the interview, Araghchi also addressed the speculation surrounding Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, saying he had never met him in person.

“Only a handful of people have met him,” Araghchi said.

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