JUST IN: Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi says the US and Israel are carrying out “blind assassinations” to compensate for “failure”
Tehran – April 5, 2026 | Reflecto News
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sharply condemned the United States and Israel, accusing them of resorting to “blind assassinations” as a desperate attempt to mask their military and strategic failures in the ongoing war.
In a strongly worded statement delivered during a press briefing in Tehran, Araghchi declared that the recent wave of high-profile strikes and reported killings of senior Iranian officials represent “acts of cowardice” rather than genuine military achievements.
Araghchi’s Statement
The Foreign Minister said:
“The US and the Zionist regime are carrying out blind assassinations to compensate for their failure on the battlefield. They cannot achieve their goals through direct confrontation, so they resort to cowardly targeted killings. But these actions will only strengthen the resolve of the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic.”
Araghchi linked the alleged assassinations to the broader U.S.-Israeli campaign, claiming that the killing of over 50 senior officials in recent strikes on Tehran was part of a pattern of “impotent aggression” after Iran’s successful ballistic missile barrages against Israel and its ability to shoot down a U.S. F-15E fighter jet.
He also referenced Iran’s claimed volunteer mobilization of around 7 million citizens and the regime’s continued control over parts of the Strait of Hormuz as evidence that the Islamic Republic remains resilient despite weeks of intense bombardment.
Context in the Escalating Conflict
Araghchi’s remarks come amid a series of high-tension developments in the sixth week of Operation Epic Fury:
- U.S. forces successfully rescued both downed F-15E pilots in a daring operation that involved ground battles with IRGC units, U.S. airstrikes, and the deliberate destruction of multiple aircraft (including HC-130J Combat King II rescue planes, MH-6 Little Bird, A-10 Warthog, and C-130 Hercules) at a remote base inside Iran.
- Reports of over 50 senior Iranian officials killed in strikes on Tehran.
- Coordinated U.S.-Israeli attacks on petrochemical facilities and ongoing discussions within the Trump administration about targeting power plants and bridges.
- Iranian retaliation, including a drone strike that caused significant damage to two Kuwaiti power and water desalination plants.
- IAEA concerns over strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant and international calls for de-escalation, including from Pope Leo XIV during his Easter message.
The Foreign Minister’s comments also coincide with stalled ceasefire talks after Iran rejected key elements of the U.S. 15-point peace proposal and refused a mediated meeting in Islamabad.
Implications
Araghchi’s statement reinforces Iran’s narrative of defiance and portrays the U.S. and Israel as increasingly desperate. It is likely intended to rally domestic support and send a message to the international community that Tehran will not be cowed by targeted killings or infrastructure strikes.
Analysts note that such rhetoric often precedes further Iranian retaliation or hardened negotiating positions. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to link military pressure to forcing Iran toward a comprehensive deal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Reflecto News will continue monitoring any U.S. or Israeli responses to Araghchi’s accusations, further developments in the conflict, and potential diplomatic reactions from regional and global actors.
By Reflecto News Desk
Sources: Iranian Foreign Ministry statements, Tasnim News Agency, Press TV, Reuters, The Jerusalem Post, Axios, and international wire services.