Iran (IMNA) - In a statement posted on X, Araghchi responded to Netanyahu’s comments regarding Iranian missile development. He recalled Netanyahu’s pledge of victory in Gaza nearly two years ago, noting that the outcome has been a “military quagmire,” an arrest warrant for war crimes, and the recruitment of 200,000 new Hamas fighters. Turning to Iran, Araghchi said Netanyahu’s hopes of erasing over four decades of peaceful nuclear achievements have been dashed. He emphasized that for every Iranian academic targeted by Israeli operatives, more than a hundred skilled disciples have been trained, and these scientists “will show Netanyahu what they are capable of.”
Araghchi further accused Netanyahu of arrogance, stating that Israel’s military aims in Iran had “miserably failed,” and referencing Iranian missile strikes that, according to Araghchi, destroyed secret Israeli sites—attacks he claimed Netanyahu continues to censor. The Iranian diplomat also criticized Netanyahu’s influence over U.S. policy, suggesting that the Israeli leader is dictating terms to Washington regarding negotiations with Iran.
The remarks come in the aftermath of a major escalation that began on June 13, when Israeli forces launched strikes against Iranian military, nuclear, and residential sites. The United States subsequently intervened with airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities—Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan—on June 22. Iran responded forcefully, with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force conducting 22 waves of retaliatory missile strikes against Israeli targets as part of Operation True Promise III, reportedly causing significant damage across the occupied territories. In retaliation for the U.S. strikes, Iranian forces also targeted the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military installation in West Asia.
A ceasefire went into effect on June 24, bringing an end to nearly two weeks of intense fighting.
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