U.S.-Israel joint large-scale attacks on Iran during the Islamic month of Ramadan come as Iran and the U.S. were making progress in nuclear talks in Geneva, with a deal in sight.

On February 28, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told an interview with NBC that toppling the Iranian regime was "an impossible task," and he did not understand why the U.S. and Israel chose to attack Iran when negotiations were progressing. He also said he would seek to ease tensions and restart talks after the U.S.-Israel joint attacks.

Just hours before his interview, the U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale air strike on Iran, and President Trump even incited Iranians to overthrow their own leaders.

"You cannot achieve regime change when millions support the so-called regime," Zarif said during an interview in the capital Tehran.

Zarif said that Iran's negotiation team had been holding talks with U.S. special envoy David Satterfield and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Geneva on February 25, aiming to avoid potential military conflict, "we were close to reaching an agreement at that time."

"We have resolved key issues related to Iran's nuclear program. Obviously there are differences, but we have resolved some of them and decided to continue moving forward to resolve the remaining issues," he added, saying he did not understand why, when negotiations were progressing, "they decided to attack us."

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif interviewed by NBC

On the same day, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Said made his first public comments on the U.S.-Iran conflict, expressing "disappointment" at the attack actions between the U.S. and Iran, which he had been mediating in recent rounds of indirect negotiations.

"Positive and serious negotiations have once again been disrupted. This is neither in the interest of the United States nor helpful for global peace," said Badr. "I urge the United States not to get further involved. This is not your war."

Zarif said in the program that other senior officials of the Iranian regime had survived, including President Ebrahim Raisi, the head of the judiciary, and the speaker of the parliament, with only two commanders killed.

He also said, "To my knowledge," Supreme Leader Khamenei is still alive. Shortly after, Trump posted on social media that Khamenei was "dead," and Iran has not yet confirmed whether Khamenei was killed.

The attack took place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and just weeks earlier, the U.S. had kidnapped the Maduro couple through a military operation, who were taken to New York facing "drug conspiracy" charges.

This is the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has used military force against Iran.

In a video announcing a "major military operation," Trump urged Iranians to "take over your government" after the U.S. action. "This will be up to you," he said, "this may be your only chance in several generations."

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed this statement, saying the operation would "create conditions for brave Iranians to take control of their own fate."

But Zarif said that regime change was impossible because the Iranian government "has popular support."

Last month, Iran experienced unprecedented nationwide unrest. "There are indeed people dissatisfied, but there are also a large number of regime supporters," Zarif said, "and we have a very solid political structure."

He pointed out that millions of people had taken to the streets across cities nationwide to commemorate the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

He added that the U.S. and other countries had previously attempted regime change but failed, and if they tried again, "there would be no better results."

Zarif said that there is currently "no communication" with the U.S., but Tehran is willing to seek de-escalation and restart talks after the U.S.-Israel joint attacks.

He said Iran "certainly wants to ease the situation," and if the U.S. negotiators want to resume dialogue, they can contact him. "This is a war that the U.S. has chosen, and they must pay the price for it," he added, "but for us, we don't want war."

Regarding Trump's statement in the State of the Union address that Iran is developing missiles capable of striking the U.S. mainland, Zarif refuted it, saying Iran has no intention of doing so and has actively limited missile range.

"We don't want to do that because we have no hostility towards the American people," he said. Iran develops weapons "to defend against enemies."

He also said that U.S. forces are attacking Iranian civilians in Iranian cities, "but we won't do that (attack civilians). We target U.S. military bases and facilities in the region, which is purely self-defense."

He also mentioned the Iranian claim of a deadly attack on a school in the southern city of Minab. Local officials said dozens of people died in the incident.

Previously, Zarif posted a photo on the social platform X, showing dozens of people gathered next to a severely damaged building, with thick smoke coming from it. He called the building "bombarded during the day, when it was full of young students."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' public relations department said on the afternoon of the 28th that multiple U.S.-Israeli missiles failed to hit their targets, instead falling into deserts and urban areas of Iraq and Persian Gulf countries. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that at least 200 U.S. personnel were injured in the missile attacks launched by Iran.

The U.S. Central Command said that its forces repelled hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones. There are currently no reports of U.S. personnel casualties or combat-related injuries. The damage to U.S. facilities is minimal and has not affected combat operations.

This article is an exclusive article by Observer, and it is not allowed to be reprinted without authorization.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7612082368278462976/

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