Iranian Foreign Minister: "If Israel Stops Its Attacks, Retaliation Will Cease"

"Attack on Nuclear Facility Is a Violation of the Red Line"

"There Is Evidence of U.S. Involvement"

Criticism of the International Community's Incompetence

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, demanded that Israel halt its attacks first.

According to AFP, TASS, and others on the 15th (local time), Minister Araghchi mentioned at a meeting with foreign diplomats broadcast via state television on this day, "If they stop the attacks, of course we will also halt our retaliatory measures." He stated, "We are defending ourselves, and defense is entirely legitimate," urging Israel to cease its military operations.

Minister Araghchi also made it clear that he does not want the conflict with Israel to spread within the region. He criticized, claiming Israel had targeted nuclear facilities and "crossed a new 'red line' under international law."

Regarding the United States, he accused them of being involved in Israel's airstrikes. Minister Araghchi said, "We have clear evidence that U.S. forces and regional U.S. military bases supported the Zionist regime’s (Israel's) attacks." He also argued that his country does not want Israel to oppose the nuclear program agreement made with the U.S. government led by Donald Trump.

Minister Araghchi also pointed out the incompetence of the international community in failing to prevent Israel’s bombing of his country. He protested, "The United Nations Security Council is responding indifferently, and Western governments are blaming Iran, not Israel, even though Iran is the one attacked."

This was the first time Minister Araghchi made a public statement since Israel’s surprise attack began on the 13th.

Park Subin, Hankyung.com reporter waterbean@hankyung.com