TEHRAN – In a broad interview with BBC World’s Laise Dusett on Thursday, Iran’s deputy minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, rejected the allegation that US President Donald Trump had made claims that Iran reached for the White House following Israel’s recent attack on Iran’s Iranian territory.
“We have not sent messages or started contacting the White House,” Khatibzadeh said. “On the contrary, it was the US that sent messages through various regional leaders and European channels, trying to distance themselves from Israeli operations from the earliest times after the assault.”
Khatibzadeh emphasized that a military strike occurred during a period of diplomatic negotiations. “Just a day before the attack, we were in Oslo and coordinated consultations for the next round in Muscat. We were very close to the agreement when Israel launched its attack on obstructive diplomacy in full.”
He denounced the US for his accomplice in the attack, saying, “Even though private messages deny their involvement, Trump’s official statement and tweet told a different story.
In response to Doucet’s characterization of “mutual attacks,” Khatibzadeh modified. “No. This is not retaliation. We are being attacked and exercised legitimate self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.”
Khatibzadeh also condemned Israel’s targeting Iranian civilians and refuted unfounded claims about Iran that are circulating in the media. “Let’s be clear. Israel has targeted our civilians, hospitals and non-military infrastructure. We only target military and intelligence news sites that direct the attack. Iran is not attacking civilians.”
Khatibzadeh criticized Western media for “bias and silence” about Israeli actions. “While we were negotiating, Israel chose war, and the failure of the international community to condemn such blatant violations is risking even at IAEA’s nuclear facilities to normalize attacks on sovereign states.”
Asked about the updated prospects for negotiations, he said, “As long as the attack continues, there will be no discussion. If the bombing stops, diplomacy is once again an option.”
Iranian diplomats warned Washington of further involvement in the conflict. “If the United States joins this war, the President will remember him as dragging his country into an unnecessary quagmire in the region. This is not an American war.”
He suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had deliberately acted to derail diplomacy. “Trump and his team knew we were approaching an agreement. Netanyahu knew that, and he was hit first.”
Khatibzadeh reiterated Iran’s position on nuclear weapons. “If Iran wanted a bomb, it would have built it now. He signed the JCPOA in 2015, promising to enrich 3.67%. It was the United States that tore the agreement and punished those who followed it.”
“Iran’s 60% enrichment is not a move to weapons, but a response to US violations. As always, we continue to commit ourselves to a peaceful nuclear program.”
Finally, Khatibzadeh declared that Iran would not stop responding until the invasion ceased and international accountability was ensured.
“It’s the moment when Israel ends the attack, the world takes accountability for it, and its immunity ends. That’s when we can talk about what comes next. Until then, we’ll protect ourselves.”