/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Iran’s Supreme Leader is Still Alive ‘As Far As I Know,’ Foreign Minister SaysIran’s foreign minister said Tehran is targeting only U.S. military bases, not civilians. He signaled openness to de-escalation if U.S.-Israeli strikes stop. He also said Iran’s supreme leader remains alive following the attacks.
Quick Look
- Iran says it is striking only U.S. military facilities.
- Tehran denies targeting Americans on U.S. soil.
- Foreign minister calls war a U.S. “war of choice.”
- Iran signals readiness to resume talks.
- Supreme Leader reportedly alive after strikes.
- Two Iranian commanders confirmed dead, FM says.
- Nuclear negotiations halted amid escalation.
Deep Look: Iran’s Supreme Leader is Still Alive ‘As Far As I Know,’ Foreign Minister Says
Iran is prepared to de-escalate tensions with the United States but will continue striking American military facilities in the Middle East as long as attacks on Iranian territory persist, the country’s foreign minister said in an exclusive interview with NBC News.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s retaliation is focused strictly on U.S. military installations in the region and not American civilians.
“We are attacking the American bases, military bases in the region, and military installations and facilities, and this is only as an act of self-defense,” Araghchi said. “We are not attacking Americans in their land.”
He described the conflict as “a war of choice by the United States” and said Washington must bear responsibility for initiating hostilities alongside Israel.
“As far as we are concerned, we don’t want war,” he said. “But once the aggression is stopped, we would also stop our self-defense.”
Open to De-Escalation
Araghchi said there is currently no active communication between Tehran and Washington. However, he signaled that diplomatic channels could reopen.
“If Americans want to talk to us, they know how they can contact me,” he said. “We are certainly interested in de-escalation.”
The foreign minister criticized the timing of the U.S.-Israeli strikes, noting they came while nuclear negotiations were ongoing.
Supreme Leader ‘Alive’
Speaking live from Tehran, Araghchi said Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, remains alive following the strikes.
“As far as I know,” he said, Khamenei is alive and senior officials remain in place. He confirmed that two commanders had been killed but said other high-ranking figures — including the head of the judiciary and the speaker of parliament — survived.
“All high-ranking officials are alive,” Araghchi said. “Everybody is now in its position, and we are handling this situation.”
NBC News has not independently verified those claims.
Escalation Continues
The interview comes amid escalating missile and drone exchanges across the Middle East. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases in Gulf countries, while American and Israeli forces continue targeting sites inside Iran.
With nuclear talks suspended and military operations ongoing, the path to diplomacy remains uncertain. Still, Tehran’s top diplomat made clear that Iran views its actions as defensive — and conditional.
“There is no limit for us to defend ourselves,” Araghchi said. “But we did not start this aggression.”
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