The new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has made his first public remarks since the outbreak of the war between Iran and the United States and Israel, asserting that Tehran did not initiate the conflict and instead placing responsibility for the violence on the United States and its ally.
Iran has, in reprisal, launched a series of drones and missiles, destroying US interests in neighbouring countries.
At least seven US military personnel have died in the process, while 104 others have been wounded.
According to the new Supreme Leader, “We didn’t start this war. The United States did. We were at the table of negotiation but they left the negotiation table.
“And I think that this war is not between the United States and Iran. It is not an Israeli war against Iran. This is rather a war between President Donald Trump and Iran. It’s between the Prime Minister of Israel and Iran.
“Very soon, they will understand that they made a big mistake for attacking Iran.”