NEW YORK: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of being given “a completely free hand to do whatever it wishes” after arriving in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking to reporters on Monday night, Araghchi said Iran’s main objective during the UN gathering would be to defend what Tehran considers the “legitimacy, rights and interests” of the Iranian people.
Furthermore, he criticised governments that, in his view, failed to condemn alleged Israeli attacks inside Iran. Araghchi specifically referred to an incident in which he said 168 children were killed, although the supplied report did not independently verify the circumstances of that claim.
Iran Plans Diplomatic Consultations in New York
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Araghchi would hold talks and consultations with foreign ministers and other officials during his stay in New York.
Before arriving, Araghchi also accused Israel of exerting excessive influence over US policy towards Iran.
He cited an Israel Hayom article advocating deeper Israeli-US military, technological, intelligence and economic integration, arguing that Washington should “break free” from what he described as Israeli influence.
Tehran Blames US for Regional Crisis
Meanwhile, Baghaei sharply criticised Washington over accusations concerning rising fuel prices and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, he compared the US narrative blaming Iran for higher fuel costs with Nazi Germany’s justification for invading Poland during World War II.
Baghaei argued that Washington initiated the conflict and that subsequent developments contributed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disruption of commercial shipping.
His historical comparison represented the Iranian government’s characterisation of US actions rather than an independently established equivalence.
The statements indicate Tehran plans to use the UNGA meetings to challenge US and Israeli policies while conducting diplomatic consultations with other governments.
