Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed that Tehran is targeting American military bases in what he described as an act of self-defense, while insisting that Iran’s top leadership remains alive and signaling conditional openness to renewed diplomacy.
Speaking in a live interview with NBC News from Tehran, Araghchi said senior officials had survived the latest wave of US-Israeli strikes and that Iran would consider de-escalation if attacks cease.
Araghchi said that “almost all officials are safe and alive,” adding, “We may have lost one or two commanders, but that is not a big problem.”
Also Read: Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announces ‘decisive response’
He confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive. “Khamenei is still alive, as far as I know,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive, as far as I know.
All high-ranking officials are alive — everything is fine. pic.twitter.com/LKMrBmGjSc
Earlier reports had suggested that Iran’s defence minister and a Revolutionary Guards commander were believed to have been killed in Israeli attacks. Araghchi acknowledged that two commanders had died but stressed that senior political leaders had survived the joint US-Israeli strikes.
Western media organizations have been unable to report directly from Iran in recent days.
'Act of self-defense' against US bases
Araghchi confirmed that Iran is actively targeting American military facilities.
“We are attacking American bases in an act of self-defense,” he said. “We cannot just sit and watch as they attack us.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026
Once the aggression is stopped, we will also stop our self-defense. pic.twitter.com/WVvkwK5Mp6
He described the US-Israeli strikes as “unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate and against international law.”
At the same time, he emphasized that Iran does not require outside assistance. “For the time being, we don’t need anybody for our defense,” he said. “We are capable enough to defend ourselves, and we will do that.”
Conditional openness to talks
Despite the escalating missile exchanges between the United States, Israel and Iran, Araghchi indicated that diplomacy remains possible.
“There is no communication right now,” he said, “but if Americans want to talk to us, they know how they can contact me.”
He added that Iran is “ready for de-escalation,” but only if the attacks stop first. “The aggression should be stopped first — the attacks should be stopped first,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026
We are ready for de-escalation, but the aggression should be stopped first — the attacks should be stopped first.
And then there is the possibility of talks, and we can consider that. pic.twitter.com/GHmOGuCYI6
Araghchi also emphasized that he sees a “possibility to reach a deal which can guarantee that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful.”
However, he drew clear red lines on enrichment, stating: “We are not giving up our right, including for enrichment,” describing uranium enrichment as a sovereign entitlement.
He further confirmed that Iran does not currently and will not in the future build missiles capable of reaching the United States.
Rejection of regime change
Responding indirectly to rhetoric from Washington, including comments attributed to US President Donald Trump, Araghchi dismissed the idea of political overthrow in Iran.
A regime change, he said, is “mission impossible,” arguing that “You cannot do a regime change while millions of people are supporting this so-called regime.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi to Trump:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026
A regime change is “mission impossible.”
You cannot do a regime change while millions of people are supporting this so-called regime. pic.twitter.com/CrXAS7BD8B
“The President of another country, no matter how powerful, has no right to decide for the people of another country,” he added.
He also suggested that “perhaps it was others who dragged the United States into this conflict for their own benefit,” without naming specific actors.
Criticism over timing of strikes
Araghchi criticized the United States and Israel for launching the attacks despite ongoing nuclear negotiations. The strikes, he said, occurred while diplomatic efforts were underway, undermining the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
Also Read: Iran’s defence minister, top commanders killed? Conflicting reports
Separately, it was reported that Israel informed Egypt of a plan to strike Iran about 48 hours in advance, according to a diplomatic source cited by Haaretz. However, the source said Israel did not indicate that it would directly take part in the attack itself.
'We are a great nation'
In closing remarks, Araghchi made a historical appeal, saying: “We are a great nation with a great civilization; we have lasted thousands of years. We know how to defend ourselves, and we will survive.”
As missile exchanges continue and tensions remain high, Tehran’s message appears twofold: firm resistance to military pressure, combined with a conditional willingness to return to the negotiating table.
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