Abbas Araghchi statements: Iran says it targets US presence, not Gulf states

In televised remarks to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is not targeting Gulf countries but rather the “US military presence” in the region. The Abbas Araghchi statements come amid escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Abbas Araghchi statements on US military bases

Araghchi stated that Iran has begun attacking US military bases in the region, claiming that the strikes prompted evacuation measures. He emphasized that Iran had instructed its armed forces to exercise caution in selecting targets within regional states.

He said Iran maintains “good relations” with countries across the Gulf, while acknowledging that some governments are “not happy” and others “angry” over the attacks. According to him, the conflict was “imposed” on Iran by the United States and Israel.

Recent reporting by Reuters has highlighted rising military tensions in the Middle East involving Iran and US forces, raising concerns about broader regional spillover.

Araghchi added that Iran sees “no limits” to defending itself but linked any potential de-escalation to a halt in ongoing attacks against the country. He said discussions about diplomacy would only follow once what he described as aggression ends.

The US military presence in the Gulf refers to American bases and logistical facilities hosted by several Gulf states under bilateral defense and security arrangements.

On maritime security, Araghchi said Iran currently has “no intention” of closing the Strait of Hormuz and no plans at this stage to disrupt shipping. The strait is one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, with roughly one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption passing through it, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Domestically, Araghchi confirmed that constitutional procedures have begun and that a transitional council has been formed to manage affairs. He said state institutions are functioning in line with the constitution and suggested that within “a day or two” a new Supreme Leader could be elected, without providing further institutional details.

He also argued that the absence or death of a leader would not equate to regime change, describing any such attempt as “impossible.” No additional official statements have yet clarified the precise constitutional mechanism referenced.

Araghchi said he remains in continuous contact with regional counterparts to explain Iran’s position. He expressed hope that neighboring states would channel their dissatisfaction toward Washington and Tel Aviv rather than Tehran.

Structured Summary:

• Iran says it is targeting US military bases, not Gulf states.
• Tehran confirms constitutional procedures that may lead to selecting a new Supreme Leader.
• No current plan to close the Strait of Hormuz.
• De-escalation conditioned on halting attacks first.

The Abbas Araghchi statements signal a dual-track posture: continued military retaliation framed as defensive, combined with conditional openness to diplomacy. Given the strategic importance of Gulf energy routes and the US military footprint in the region, markets and policymakers are closely monitoring developments.