Why it matters:
The remarks highlight escalating tensions following the U.S.-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic, with Tehran signaling it will respond in self-defense.
What he’s saying:
Majid Takht-Ravanchi in an interview with MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera:
“Our message to everybody who is listening is that we are defending ourselves. A war has been imposed on us, and we have every right to defend ourselves.”
“This war was not our choice. It is the war of choice for the U.S. government and the Israeli regime.”
“We are in a defensive mode, and what we are concentrating on is to protect ourselves and defend ourselves.”
He added that no messages have been exchanged with Washington since the strikes began.
On nuclear claims:
Takht-Ravanchi rejected allegations by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who claimed Iranian negotiators had boasted about evading oversight and reaching the capability to produce nuclear weapons.
“We were not bragging. We were simply describing our scientific achievements,” he said, saying that Witkoff has misrepresented discussions during recent negotiations.
Go deeper:
In response to the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, the naval and aerospace units of the IRGC and the Islamic Republic’s national military forces have launched massive missile strikes against US military assets in regional countries and on targets in the Israeli-occupied territories since the weekend.
Iran’s escalating strikes have prompted Washington to close its embassies, urging Americans to flee the region.
Mojtaba Darabi - Mahboubeh Habibi
