Amid the growing conflict in West Asia, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh strongly criticised US President Donald Trump, questioning Washington’s stance on Iran’s leadership and regional politics.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, Khatibzadeh said it was ironic that the US president talks about changing Iran’s leadership when he cannot even control political appointments within the United States.
He described the American policy toward Iran as having a “colonial mindset.” Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
“President Trump talks about leadership change in Iran, while he cannot even appoint the mayor of New York. This shows a colonial approach. They want democracy at home but want to remove the democratically elected president of Iran,” Khatibzadeh said during the discussion.
Iran Denies Closing Strait of Hormuz
Khatibzadeh also rejected reports that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route for oil.
He said Iran continues to play a responsible role in maintaining stability in the Gulf despite the ongoing war with Israel and the United States.
“Iran is an anchor of stability in the Strait of Hormuz. If we decide to close it, we will announce it. We have not closed it,” he said.
He also highlighted the strong diplomatic relationship between India and Iran, saying both countries prefer strategic thinking.
“India and Iran share a chess mentality, not the American football mentality. Diplomacy in the long run is the only solution,” he said.
Iran Calls Conflict an ‘Existential War’
During the Raisina Dialogue, Khatibzadeh described the current conflict as an “existential war” against Iran. He accused the United States and Israel of launching attacks based on what he called false claims.
“What Americans and Israelis are doing is against international law and global norms. Iran did not provoke this conflict. Our country is under attack based on flat lies,” he said.
According to the Iranian minister, the war is linked to regional power politics and what he called the “delusion of a Greater Israel.”
Tehran Warns of Strong Response
Khatibzadeh said Iran is acting in self-defence and warned that Tehran would respond to attacks launched from foreign territory.
“This is an existential war against Iran. We are fighting a national and heroic war to push back aggressors. If attacks continue, we will strike wherever those attacks originate from,” he said.
Claims of False-Flag Operations
The Iranian official also alleged that false-flag operations were being carried out to expand the conflict. He claimed that some intelligence operations were linked to Israel’s Mossad agency.
According to him, Iran is trying to prevent the war from spreading to other regions.
Concern Over Targeting State Leaders
Khatibzadeh also criticised the assassination of top political leaders during conflicts, calling it a dangerous precedent.
“When the head of another state is targeted, it sets a very dangerous example for international relations,” he said.
Diplomacy the Only Way Forward
The Iranian deputy foreign minister concluded by saying that ending the war depends on those who started it.
“The responsibility to stop this aggression lies with those who began it. If they stop today, Iran is ready to defend but not escalate. Diplomacy is the only option for every country,” he added.
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