Tehran/Washington/Dubai – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed outside interference in the selection of the country’s new supreme leader. He made the statement during an interview with NBC News. The selection of a new leader is an internal matter for Iran, and no foreign intervention will be permitted. Iran’s ‘Assembly of Experts’ will soon choose the new leader, as outlined in the constitution. He added that the country’s political institutions are functioning normally, with the President, Cabinet, and Parliament continuing their duties.

Araghchi strongly opposed attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in Iran’s internal affairs, reiterating that the decision rests solely with the Iranian people.

Following Israeli airstrikes targeting oil refineries and storage facilities in Iran, dark smoke clouds were reported over Tehran. Reports indicate that the morning rain was black and contained oily residue, according to local residents. Images and videos of the aftermath are widely circulating on social media. Reports too suggest that Israel launched a large-scale attack targeting key oil centers in Iran.

Authorities in Bahrain reported three injuries after debris from a missile fell during the attacks. A university building was also damaged. Flight services have partially resumed amid the conflict. Qatar Airways announced that it would operate services from London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Frankfurt, and Bangkok to Doha today.

As the conflict between Iran and Israel enters its second week, Iran claimed to have captured American soldiers. Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, made the announcement. Larijani, a close confidant of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that the captured soldiers are being held in prisons. The U.S. Central Command has denied the claim, stating that no American soldiers are currently being held and calling it another falsehood. This development underscores growing regional tensions.

∙ Trump Accused of Misleading Statements About American Deaths

Larijani accused President Trump of promoting misinformation regarding the deaths of six American soldiers in Iran’s retaliatory strikes. He previously alleged that the actual number of U.S. Soldiers killed exceeded 500. “The U.S. Will slowly inflate this death toll, perhaps classifying them as accidental deaths or fabricated incidents. Numerous American soldiers have reportedly been taken prisoner, but the U.S. Will claim they were killed in action. But the truth will eventually come out,” he wrote in a post on X.

English Summary:

Middle East Conflict: Tension Between Iran with US and Israel Continues in the Middle East. Iran claims to have captured American soldiers during ongoing attacks, a statement strongly denied by the US Central Command. The US is also refuting claims that President Trump is lying about American soldier deaths in Iran’s retaliation.