TEHRAN, Iran: Iran has denied launching any offensive actions against Turkiye, Cyprus, or Azerbaijan, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stating that no attacks had originated from Iranian territory toward these countries.
Baghaei suggested that certain incidents reported in the region may have been staged, warning that hostile actors could be attempting to create divisions between Iran and neighbouring states.
He stressed that Iran remains committed to maintaining friendly and constructive relations with regional countries.
However, the spokesperson added that Tehran reserves the right to defend itself if the territory of any country is used to launch attacks against Iran.
“Our act of defence cannot be interpreted as an act of hostility towards any of these countries,” he said.
Esmaeil Baghaei said efforts to mediate a ceasefire are “irrelevant” as long as military confrontations continue.
“At this particular point, speaking of anything other than defending our homeland is irrelevant,” he said, stressing that Iran did not initiate the conflict.
“We did not start this war. It is not a war of choice, but a war of necessity that has been imposed on us.”
Baghaei also accused the United States of undermining diplomatic efforts, saying Washington had effectively “torpedoed” talks before carrying out its latest strikes.
He further claimed that the actions of the US and Israel threaten international law and are aimed at weakening Iran and gaining control of its oil resources.
Putin offered “unwavering support” to Iran
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged “unwavering support” to Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, following the death of his father and predecessor in recent US‑Israeli strikes
“I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said in a message to Khamenei, adding that “Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.
“At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication,” the Russian leader said.
83 children killed in Lebanon in past 7 days: UNICEF
UNICEF reports that at least 83 children have been killed and 254 injured in Lebanon since March 2, as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalates.
“On average, more than 10 children have been killed every day across Lebanon over the past week, with approximately 36 children injured each day,” the statement published on the UNICEF website said on Monday.
“In the last 28 months, 329 children have reportedly been killed in Lebanon and 1,632 were injured,” it added.
“These figures are staggering. They are a stark testament to the toll that conflict is taking on children,” the agency said.
“Mass displacement across Lebanon has forced nearly 700,000 people – including around 200,000 children – from their homes, adding to the tens of thousands already uprooted from previous escalations.”
“UNICEF urges immediate efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further harm to children,” the statement concluded.
US urges citizens to leave southeast Turkiye
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Ankara has advised non-essential staff to leave its consulate near Adana, a southern Turkish city close to a major NATO base, and has urged American citizens to depart from southeastern Turkiye.
“On March 9, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees and US government employee family members to leave Consulate General Adana due to the safety risks,” it said on X, referencing a travel advisory saying: “Americans in southeast Turkey are strongly encouraged to depart now”.
Iran launches fresh missile barrage
Iran fired missiles at Israel early Monday in the name of the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was selected to succeed his slain father despite threats by the United States and Israel to target him next.
Nine days after US-Israeli strikes killed former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and plunged the Middle East into war, clerics convened to choose the country’s third supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
US President Donald Trump had previously dismissed the younger Khamenei as a “lightweight” and insisted Sunday again that he should have a say in appointing a new leader.
“If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long,” he told ABC News before the announcement was made.
