Iran attacks Zelensky in sharp remarks
Foreign minister condemns Ukraine leader over war accusations
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a public statement, declaring that the world has “had enough of confused clowns,” in remarks that underscored rising diplomatic tensions and Tehran’s increasingly confrontational tone toward Kyiv. The comments, delivered in response to Zelensky’s recent statements on Iran’s role in the Ukraine war, marked one of the strongest verbal attacks by a senior Iranian official on the Ukrainian leadership since the conflict began.
Araghchi’s remarks came after Zelensky accused Iran of contributing to the continuation of the war by supplying Russia with military equipment, including drones that Ukraine says have been used in attacks on civilian infrastructure. Speaking in Davos, Zelensky called for more decisive action by the United States against Iran, less than two weeks after the start of foreign-backed riots in Iran. Kyiv has repeatedly called on Tehran to halt any military cooperation with Moscow, arguing that such support undermines international law and prolongs the conflict. Iran has consistently denied providing weapons for use in the war, insisting that any military cooperation with Russia predates the invasion and is unrelated to current hostilities.
In his response, Araghchi rejected Zelensky’s accusations and accused the Ukrainian president of deflecting responsibility for the war’s continuation. He said Iran would not accept what he described as “lectures or theatrical rhetoric” from leaders who, in Tehran’s view, are prolonging the conflict by relying on Western military aid instead of pursuing negotiations.
Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs later reported that 3,117 people died during the unrest, including 2,427 civilians and security personnel, noting that many innocents were killed by organized terrorist elements.
