Iran Says Public Will Remember Who ‘Initiated War of Aggression’
TEHRAN, IRAN — WEB DESK: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the United States on Tuesday of attempting to shift responsibility for rising fuel prices onto Tehran, saying the public would remember who, in Iran’s account, initiated the conflict and triggered the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Baghaei made the remarks in a social media post as tensions between Tehran and Washington continued to reverberate through global energy and shipping markets. He argued that US officials were blaming Iran for higher fuel prices while overlooking what Tehran describes as the origins of the conflict and the events that led to the disruption of commercial shipping through Hormuz.
Baghaei also compared Washington’s framing of the conflict to historical attempts to portray military action as defensive. His remarks represent the Iranian government’s position; the characterisation of the conflict as a US-initiated “war of aggression” is a political claim by Tehran rather than an independently established description.
The comments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to Iranian state media cited in the report, Araghchi said his primary objective was to advocate for the “legitimacy, rights, and interests” of the Iranian people.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi was also expected to hold consultations with foreign ministers and other officials attending the UN gathering. He made a brief stop in Doha on his way to New York, where he discussed regional developments with Qatari officials. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was also scheduled to travel to New York for the UN session.
The diplomatic activity comes amid continuing pressure over the Strait of Hormuz. France is working on a UN Security Council resolution intended to guarantee freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, according to a diplomatic source cited by AFP. France has also welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States.
Separately, G7 foreign ministers called on Iran to end what they described as its arming and support of Yemen’s Houthis and urged the Houthis to stop attacks and threats against civilian shipping. Those allegations and demands reflect the G7 position.
The latest statements highlight the sharply conflicting narratives surrounding responsibility for the regional conflict, while diplomatic activity at the UN General Assembly provides a forum for governments to pursue de-escalation efforts.
