Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected US President Donald Trump's demand for "unconditional surrender," saying Iran would continue to resist as the conflict continues. "We never give up, we never surrender, and we continue to resist as long as it takes," Araghchi said in an interview with NBC News 'Meet the Press.' "We continue to defend ourselves, and we are defending our territory, our people, and our dignity. And our dignity is not for sale."
During the interview, Araghchi also addressed the current leadership setup, explaining that an interim leadership council is currently governing Iran while the Assembly of Experts prepares to select a new supreme leader. "The council of the interim leadership council is now in charge, and they are doing their act in the absence of the leader, while a new supreme leader is going to be elected soon by the assembly of experts," Araghchi said. "And the president and the cabinet are also in there, are doing their duties. Parliament, everything is in its place."
Asked about reports that the Assembly of Experts had already decided on a new supreme leader, possibly Mojtaba Khamenei, the foreign minister said no decision has been announced. "Nobody knows. Actually, there are lots of rumors around, but we have to wait for the assembly of experts to convene and vote for the new supreme leader and the one who is elected by them," he said. Araghchi also rejected the possibility of outside involvement in the leadership selection process after US President Donald Trump said he should choose Iran's next leader. (Read More)
