Iran’s Foreign Minister Dismisses Regime Change as ‘Mission Impossible’ Amidst U.S.-Israel Strikes
TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that attempts to overthrow the Iranian government are doomed to fail, speaking to NBC News hours after a major joint military operation by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic. President Donald Trump has directly called on Iranian citizens to oust their leaders.
“You cannot do regime change while millions of people are supporting the so-called regime,” Araghchi said from Tehran, dismissing the possibility of a swift collapse of the government.
The strikes, which targeted political leaders, come weeks after a U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in New York on federal drug conspiracy charges. This also marks the second time in eight months the Trump administration has used military force against Iran.
Araghchi confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, is, as far as he knows, still alive, though his whereabouts remain unknown following the attacks. He also stated that other senior officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, and the parliament speaker, had survived, with two commanders confirmed dead.
Negotiations were underway in Geneva, Switzerland, between Iranian negotiators and U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, with a potential deal to avert military action “within reach,” Araghchi revealed. “We were able to address serious questions related to Iran’s nuclear program… and we decided to continue,” he said, expressing bewilderment at the timing of the strikes given the progress in talks.
Trump, in a video statement announcing the “major combat operations,” urged Iranians to “take over your government,” promising it would be “yours to take.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, stating the operation would “create the conditions” for Iranians to “take their fate into their own hands.”
Despite recent nationwide unrest in Iran, which saw a deadly crackdown by authorities – with the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reporting over 7,000 confirmed deaths and investigating thousands more, while the Iranian government acknowledges over 3,000 deaths – Araghchi maintains significant public support for the government. He pointed to the millions who participated in the recent anniversary of the 1979 revolution.
Araghchi disputed Trump’s claim that Iran is developing missiles capable of reaching the U.S., stating Iran has intentionally limited their range and has no intention of targeting the American population. He added that Iranian attacks have been limited to military bases and installations in the region as acts of self-defense, referencing a reported strike on a school in Minab where dozens were killed. He shared a photo of the damage on X.
While acknowledging “no communication right now” with the U.S., Araghchi indicated Iran is open to de-escalation and resuming talks once the joint strikes cease. “This is a war of choice by the United States, and they have to pay for that,” he said, “But as far as we are concerned, we don’t want war.”
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