The authorities in Iran have shut down suggestions that the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed amidst escalating tensions with the United States of America.
The clarification was provided by Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, who added that the country’s high ranking officilas are alive and doing well.
Speaking in an interview from Tehran to NBC News, the Minister said Khamenei is alive “as far as I know”, adding that “all high-ranking officials are alive.”
Naija News reports that the Minister also clarified that Iran’s attacks are not against the Gulf countries but the American bases in such countries.
He added that the bombings are purely in self-defence.
Araghchi said he had been in contact with Gulf states and “explained for them that we have no intention to attack them but we are actually attacking the American bases in the act of self defence.”
The Minister added that his country is open to negotiations and de-escalation of hostilities, narrating that while there was no communication with Washington now, “if Americans wants to talk to us. They know how they can contact me. We are certainly interested for de-escalation.”
Recall that tension escalated on Saturday following the military confrontation between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
