Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of manipulating the United States into going to war with Iran.
Araghchi made the allegation in a post on X on Monday, accusing Netanyahu of presenting different accounts of his influence over Washington depending on his audience.
According to the Iranian minister, Netanyahu admitted in Hebrew that he had influenced the US administration into entering the conflict with Iran on Israel’s behalf, while adopting a different tone when speaking to American audiences.
“In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the U.S. Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” Araghchi wrote.
He also accused the Israeli prime minister of using frequent appearances on American television networks to influence US public opinion and policy.
Araghchi’s comments come months after the conflict between Iran and the United States began on February 28 following US-Israeli strikes that, according to Iranian authorities, killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior military officials.
Iran retaliated with attacks across the region, widening the conflict and raising concerns over the security of neighbouring countries and key shipping routes.
An April ceasefire brought an end to the most intense phase of the fighting, but sporadic attacks have continued, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The situation has also complicated efforts by Washington and Tehran to reach a lasting agreement.
The United States has since intensified pressure on Iran under what it describes as a campaign of “economic asphyxiation”.
Tensions rose again late Sunday after the US struck Iran’s Larak Island, marking its first attack of that nature in a month.
Iran said it responded by attacking US military bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Araghchi’s latest accusation also comes days after Netanyahu rejected the possibility of a new agreement between Washington and Tehran.
The Israeli prime minister dismissed prospects for an Iran-US deal and described Iran’s leaders as “savages”, highlighting the continuing tensions between the countries involved in the conflict.
