Iran Supreme Leader Alone Decides War or Peace, Says Abbas Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the authority to decide whether Iran goes to war or chooses peace lies solely with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In an interview recently, Araghchi made the statements while elaborating on the Iranian decision-making process regarding national security and foreign policy, reports international media. He told the reporters that the recent truce with the United States had been agreed upon with a consensus between Iran’s military and political leadership. The decision was made with proper coordination with the Supreme National Security Council and based on the Iranian Constitution.

Abbas Araghchi, who spoke to the group on Iran-US relations, said Tehran had started negotiations following the US demand to halt uranium enrichment and threats of military intervention against the Islamic Republic. He said Iran took the path into the negotiating table to prove that it has exhausted all diplomatic means and is now prepared to take other steps.

During times of regional tension, Iran’s foreign minister emphasized that diplomacy is an important pillar of Iran’s policy, according to reports. International interest in Iran’s nuclear program and current negotiations with Western powers are preventing his comments from receiving much attention.

Araghchi also denied rumors that he had a close friendship with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He explained that he has not met the Supreme Leader and that a small group of people is allowed to meet him.

His remarks offer a rare glimpse into the leadership hierarchy of Iran and emphasize that final decisions on Iran’s war, peace, and national security policy are left to the Supreme Leader.