Iranian foreign minister says he warned of retaliation if the country came under attack
TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that an unnamed regional leader predicted military strikes against Iran and advised Tehran not to retaliate, while he responded by warning that any attack on Iran would trigger reciprocal action.
Speaking during an interview, Araghchi said he met a regional leader who expressed confidence that Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile capabilities and oil infrastructure would be targeted. According to Araghchi, the official urged Iran to avoid responding militarily if such attacks occurred.
When asked to identify the leader, Araghchi declined to provide a name. Although the interviewer suggested Saudi Arabia, Araghchi said he preferred not to identify any country, adding that Iran maintains relations with regional states. He also claimed that several neighbouring countries had expected a major confrontation involving Iran.
Retaliation warning outlined
According to Araghchi, he told the unnamed leader that Iran would respond proportionately to any attack. He said Iran would target corresponding facilities if its nuclear, military or energy infrastructure were struck.
Araghchi further stated that if the United States became directly involved in military action against Iran, Tehran would target US military bases in the region, arguing that those installations were within the range of Iranian missiles.
He also claimed he warned that disruptions to Iran’s oil exports could affect broader regional energy exports, although he said Iran did not seek such an outcome.
Remarks reflect ongoing regional tensions
Araghchi said the unnamed official rejected the warning and argued that major international powers would support Gulf states because of their economic importance and role in global energy markets.
The Iranian foreign minister’s remarks reflect Tehran’s account of private diplomatic exchanges and have not been independently verified. No regional government publicly commented on the statements or confirmed that such a meeting and conversation took place.
The comments come amid continued regional security tensions, with Iran and several Gulf countries maintaining diplomatic engagement while also navigating longstanding strategic and security differences.
๐๐๐ Arakรงi รถnemli aรงฤฑklamalarda bulundu. Komลu รผlkeler ฤฐranโฤฑn dรผลรผลรผne hazฤฑrlฤฑklฤฑydฤฑ ve hepsi gizli bir sevinรง iรงindeydi.
Ne kadar รผzรผcรผ, deฤil mi? Peki ฤฐran bunlardan intikamฤฑnฤฑ almayacak mฤฑ? Elbette alacak. Buna tarihin kฤฑrbaรง vefasฤฑ derler."๐๐๐ Abbas Arakรงi:โฆ pic.twitter.com/2jBMcU6jTe
— Murteza OCAKLI (@MortezaOjaghlou) July 19, 2026
