Tehran, March 8 — Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi sharply criticized US President Donald Trump, saying what he called a week-long ‘‘misadventure’’ has already cost the U.S. military $100 billion and the lives of young soldiers. Araghchi said Trump’s misreading of Iran’s capabilities and intentions undid an offer from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to de-escalate tensions in the region.
In a post on X, Araghchi said President Pezeshkian had signaled willingness to reduce hostilities so long as neighboring countries did not allow their airspace, territory or waters to be used to attack the Iranian people. He added that the gesture was ‘‘almost immediately killed’’ by Trump and warned that any further escalation would be the responsibility of the U.S. administration while Iran’s armed forces are prepared to defend the country.
‘‘Mr. Trump’s week-long misadventure has already cost the U.S. military $100 Billion, in addition to the lives of young soldiers. When markets reopen, that cost will balloon and directly be transferred to ordinary Americans at pumping stations,’’ Araghchi wrote.
Araghchi also cited a U.S. National Intelligence Council assessment—based on input from 18 American intelligence agencies—that a war with Iran would fail, and said he had warned U.S. envoys that military action would not strengthen their negotiating position. He accused a small ‘‘cabal of ‘Israel Firsters’’’ of pushing Washington toward a chosen conflict, adding that ‘‘‘Israel First’ always means ‘America Last’.’’
Araghchi posted his comments alongside a repost of President Pezeshkian’s statement expressing openness to regional de-escalation under the stated conditions.
The remarks come as tensions rise across West Asia and hostilities spread, with Iran continuing strikes in Israel and the Gulf using drones and missiles. President Pezeshkian has rejected calls for surrender, denouncing what he described as indiscriminate bombing and urging national unity to defend Iran’s territory and sovereignty.
Separately, at the Shield of the Americas Summit, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States had ‘‘knocked out 42 Iranian navy ships and destroyed their communications,’’ according to his remarks.
(This story was sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received; the Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.)
