Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of manipulating the United States into going to war with Iran, describing him as a “serpent.”
Araghchi made the accusation on Monday in a post on X, alleging that Netanyahu had openly boasted in Hebrew about influencing the US administration to support military action against Iran.
“In English, he praises POTUS’ leadership. Serpent,” Araghchi said.
The comments come amid the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States, which began on February 28 after US-Israeli strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military officials.
Iran responded with attacks across the region as the conflict widened.
An April ceasefire brought an end to the most intense fighting, but sporadic attacks, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have continued to undermine prospects for a lasting peace agreement.
The United States recently shifted towards what it described as a campaign of “economic asphyxiation” against Iran.
US Strikes Iranian Island
The United States struck the Iranian island of Larak late Sunday, marking its first such attack in about a month.
Iran responded by saying it had launched attacks against US military bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
The latest exchanges have further complicated efforts to secure a permanent settlement between Washington and Tehran.
Netanyahu Rejects Iran-US Deal
Netanyahu last week dismissed the possibility of an agreement between Iran and the United States and described Iran’s leaders as “savages.”
The Israeli prime minister has long opposed diplomatic engagement with Iran and was an outspoken critic of the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated during Barack Obama’s presidency.
However, Netanyahu has remained publicly careful in his criticism of US President Donald Trump while Trump has pursued the possibility of a negotiated settlement with Tehran.
The latest comments from Araghchi reflect the continuing tensions between Iran and Israel and Tehran’s accusation that Israel has played a major role in drawing Washington deeper into the conflict.
Source: AFP.
