Abbas Araghchi Reveals Assassination Attempt and Addresses Miscommunication That Nearly Escalated the Conflict

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday disclosed new details about an attempted assassination targeting him during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. He also elaborated on behind-the-scenes discussions surrounding the ceasefire announcement and a military coordination error that almost reignited hostilities.

In remarks reported by Mehr News Agency, Araghchi said that a bomb detonated at a house directly across from his residence during the conflict. Security forces apprehended those responsible, he added. Unmanned aerial vehicles also reportedly flew overhead several times while he was in transit, posing what he described as a direct threat to his safety.

Supreme National Security Council Approved Ceasefire Under Conditions

Commenting on the ceasefire decision, Araghchi stated that it was approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council with the explicit endorsement of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “The decision was clear: if the adversary requested a ceasefire without preconditions, we would accept it. It was a strong and strategic stance,” he said.

He added, “At approximately 1:00 a.m., we received word that Israel was prepared to halt attacks starting at 4:00 a.m. I verified the information with the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other relevant bodies. We agreed on a reciprocal approach: if they did not initiate attacks, we would also refrain.”

Timing Miscommunication and Military Error

Araghchi highlighted a miscommunication between himself and Iran’s armed forces regarding the timing of the ceasefire implementation. “Our colleagues believed the ceasefire deadline was set for 4:00 a.m. GMT, which led to continued military action until 7:30 a.m. Tehran time,” he said. “A second coordination issue occurred later that day, resulting in Israeli claims that Iran had violated the ceasefire.”

He noted that Israeli authorities alleged Iran had launched a missile in the afternoon of the first day of the ceasefire and responded with airstrikes. Araghchi said he immediately contacted U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, rejecting the claims. He warned that if Israel continued its actions, Iran would respond more forcefully than before, adding—according to his own words—that “Iran is not Lebanon.”

U.S.-Israel Coordination and Trump’s Intervention

Concluding his remarks, Araghchi stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump intervened directly to de-escalate the situation. “As you saw, Trump tweeted calling on Israeli pilots to return. It later became evident that the escalation had been pre-coordinated with Washington,” he said.