Iran Denies Leader Dead, Blames US, Israel for “War of Aggression”

Iran Asserts Leader’s Safety Amidst US-Israeli “War of Aggression”

Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, has vehemently denied claims suggesting the potential death of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating he is “safe and fine.” The assertion comes amid escalating tensions and what Iran describes as a “brutal war of aggression” waged by the United States and Israel. Baghaei, who formerly served as Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, addressed these allegations in a recent interview, framing them as part of a sophisticated disinformation campaign orchestrated by adversaries.

Disinformation Campaign and Iranian Resilience

“They are telling many things,” Baghaei stated, referring to the persistent rumors and speculations, including those attributed to then-President Donald Trump regarding the Supreme Leader’s well-being. “You see, at the same time that we are facing a brutal war of aggression, we are facing a sophisticated disinformation and misinformation campaign. Every day, every hour, they are telling something about the Iranian nation. That’s part of their demonization project.” He further elaborated that such rhetoric is not new, recalling instances where Iranians were described in disparaging terms universally. However, he emphasized Iran’s resilience, highlighting that the nation’s governance is not dependent on a single individual but is a “sophisticated system based on a popular revolution of 1979.” Baghaei pointed to the system’s continued efficient operation even after the “cowardly assassination of our leaders and our commanders” as evidence of this inherent strength.

Clarifying Initial Ambiguity

Addressing the initial confusion surrounding the previous Supreme Leader’s alleged demise and the lack of immediate visuals of the new leader, Baghaei explained the delay in information. “The government continues to work. We have heard many things from them. The point you’re referring to because the early hours of their uh terrorist attacks was not really clear which people were uh targeted. We had to make sure how many peoples who were um assassinated during the first hours of their aggression. So that was why during the first hours people were not sure whether the supreme leader was alive or not.” This clarification aimed to dispel doubts and underscore the operational continuity of the Iranian government amidst external attacks.

Iran’s Stance: Self-Defense, Not Aggression

Baghaei firmly characterized Iran’s actions as acts of self-defense rather than aggression. “This is not an act of aggression, sir. This is an act of self-defense. Please let’s call a spade a spade. Iran is under an attack by two nuclear-armed regimes,” he asserted. He explained that targeting specific bases and installations in Persian Gulf countries is a strategic necessity, as these locations are allegedly being used by the United States to prepare, conduct, and support aggression against Iran. He refuted claims of targeting civilian airports, stating that Iranian armed forces are meticulous in targeting only military bases used by the U.S. Baghaei cited President Trump’s own remarks about tankers being hit in Saudi Arabia as indirect confirmation that U.S. military bases in the region were being utilized for attacks on Iran. “We have no animosity, no enmity toward our Arab neighbors. That’s for sure. And we have made it clear that this doesn’t mean that we are attacking any neighboring country. We are simply taking defensive measures against this egregious act of aggression,” he added.

The Strait of Hormuz and International Ramifications

Regarding the obstruction of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei argued that the situation is not Iran’s fault but a consequence of the imposed war. He highlighted Iran’s historical role as guardian of the strait and stressed the nation’s dependence on its security. “The reason right now we are facing this catastrophic situation is because they imposed this war of aggression,” he stated. He clarified that the Strait of Hormuz is not being shut down, but Iran reserves the right to take necessary security measures and prevent aggressor ships from passing. He warned that any attempt by the U.S. and its allies, including the UK, to keep the strait open by force would be interpreted as a continuation of aggression and would be met with a response from Iran. Baghaei urged responsible nations to avoid complicity in what he termed the “crime of aggression” by the United States and Israel.

Escalating Tensions and Unprovoked Attacks

Baghaei reiterated that Iran is not at war with the UK, referencing a clarification by British authorities that a base in Cyprus was not attacked by Iran. However, he posed a hypothetical question: “If any country attack you, what would be your reaction?” He emphasized that any participation in the current conflict by other nations would be viewed as joining the U.S.-Israeli war of aggression against Iran. The spokesperson also confirmed that Iran’s armed forces are prepared for all scenarios, including the potential deployment of thousands of U.S. Marines to the region, stating, “We will defend our homeland with over might.” He concluded by refuting the notion that Iran stands by the goal of eliminating the state of Israel, instead pointing to the fact that Iran is the one under attack. He detailed previous instances where attacks occurred just before scheduled negotiations with the U.S. on nuclear issues, highlighting the targeting of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, civilian infrastructure, and residential areas as evidence of an unjust war imposed upon the nation.

Source: Iran Says Mojtaba Khamenei Is ‘Safe’ And Blames US for ‘War of Aggression’ | Esmail Baghaei (YouTube)