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No power vacuum has emerged in Iran, and the country continues to be governed by the Supreme Leader’s Council during the current difficult period, Iran’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami, said at a press conference in Yerevan on March 2.
Participants in the press conference, including the Iranian ambassador, diplomatic staff and media representatives, observed a minute of silence in memory of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others killed in recent developments.
Speaking about the situation, Shirgholami said the United States and Israel carried out an attack against Iran in the early hours of February 28 despite ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
According to the ambassador, the Iranian side had presented proposals during the negotiations that had a high likelihood of implementation and demonstrated what he described" as maximum goodwill aimed at achieving progress in talks".
“We are surprised by certain developments in the current world order. How can a party that does not follow the logic of negotiations participate in such a process or decide to enter negotiations at all?” Shirgholami said.
The ambassador expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, describing him as a figure who had devoted his life to Iran’s independence and freedom.
“He continued to serve his homeland and the noble aspirations of his people. He was a unique figure in Iran’s modern history and was martyred while defending his country,” the diplomat said.
Shirgholami noted that Khamenei maintained a positive attitude toward Armenia and the Armenian community in Iran and had expressed support for Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“It can be said that Armenia and the Armenian people were enjoying the support of Iran’s spiritual leader. His martyrdom is a great sorrow for Iranian statehood and the Iranian people,” he added.
According to the ambassador, the Iranian people remain determined to defend the country's independence and pursue their national goals despite recent events.
The ambassador added that genuine ideas do not disappear with people's deaths and said that "neither the United States nor Israel has understood this fact."
He also mentioned that the attack resulted in civilian casualties, including schoolchildren, calling the incident unjustifiable.
“We have previously stated that any military base used in attacks against Iran will become a legitimate target for countermeasures, regardless of the country in which it is located,” he said.
The ambassador stressed that Iran is not targeting neighboring states but responding to military facilities that, according to Tehran, supported the attack."We have the legitimate right to counter all of this, which is enshrined in the provisions of the UN Convention," he said.
He said Iran's long history demonstrates its readiness to defend its independence and identity during periods of external pressure.
Shirgholami also thanked Armenia and the Armenian people for expressing condolences following the recent developments.