Fresh off US airstrikes felling Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi unleashed a no-holds-barred condemnation, swearing reprisals sans deals or delays. ABC News captured his outright dismissal of American alibis, branding the hits unlawful invasions.
In crisp terms: ‘US aggression meets our self-defense.’ This framework legitimizes Iran’s reply per global norms, with Araghchi signaling all-options readiness minus de-escalation nods.
US strikes target missile networks methodically, per officials, yet Iran concedes nothing on impairments or leadership flux. Senate Intelligence leader Tom Cotton previewed sequenced blows to arsenals and factories, decrying Iran’s aim at US assets, Gulf partners, Israel.
Dissent swelled: Senator Warner flagged no pressing threats, veiling succession unknowns; Schiff slammed the outsized assault pursuing overthrow sans proof.
Transition protocols pin successor picks on the Assembly of Experts, IRGC lurking powerfully. Araghchi’s unbowed front projects continuity, but invites spiral. As campaigns persist, diplomacy’s window narrows critically.