Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the country's political system would remain stable even if Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were assassinated, asserting that established mechanisms exist to ensure continuity.
In an interview with India Today on Wednesday, Araghchi addressed speculation in US media regarding possible targeting of Iran's top leadership.
"I've seen suggestions in US media about assassinating the Supreme Leader, but this is a system. It is a well-established mechanism that exists within the system itself, so nothing would collapse. Everyone would be replaced through established procedures," India Today quoted him as saying.
Emphasising institutional resilience, he added, "Our system does not depend on individuals. It is supported by the people. So, I am not worried at all. Even in the middle of war, nothing collapsed, and we were able to continue our self-defense."
Hezbollah signals "red line"
Araghchi’s remarks came as regional tensions remain high. A Hezbollah official told AFP on Wednesday that the Lebanese group would not intervene militarily if the United States carried out "limited" strikes against Iran.
However, the official warned that any attempt to harm Khamenei would cross a "red line", potentially triggering involvement.
At the same time, Israel reportedly conveyed an indirect message to Lebanon warning of severe retaliation if Hezbollah joined a broader US-Iran conflict. Two senior Lebanese officials told Reuters that Israel had signalled it would target civilian infrastructure, including the airport, in such a scenario.
IDF reports continued operations in southern Lebanon
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday detailed ongoing operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The military said it has targeted missile launchers, weapons manufacturing sites and command centres used by elite Hezbollah units.
"Over the past several months, IDF troops have been operating in southern Lebanon to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent attempts by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation to rearm," The Jerusalem Post quoted the military as saying.
According to the brief, operations included strikes against "weapons and terrorist infrastructure, including observation and firing positions in which anti-tank launchers were located".
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The IDF stated that the presence of such assets in southern Lebanon constitutes a "blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon".
The developments underscore continued volatility across the region amid ongoing military and diplomatic tensions.
