Araghchi says Rubio's delusion has dragged US to failure

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for repeating remarks made by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to a post on his X account. Araghchi wrote that eight years ago, "a cartoon character like Pompeo said Iranians must follow White House diktat 'if they want to eat.' Today, Rubio—whose fellow Cubans are victims of same policy—repeats that drivel." He added, "Forget about the inhumanity. It's the delusions that are producing failed US policy."

Araghchi reiterated that Rubio is echoing Pompeo's remarks that Iranians must follow Washington's orders if they want to eat, adding that such thinking has contributed to the failure of US policies. The Iranian foreign minister's comments come amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States over sanctions and the US maximum pressure policy.

Pompeo, who served as US Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021, had made similar remarks during his tenure, which were widely criticized by Iranian officials. Araghchi's post also referenced Cuba, noting that Rubio, who is of Cuban descent, has seen his fellow Cubans suffer under the same policy approach.

The exchange highlights the continued war of words between Tehran and Washington, with Iranian officials frequently dismissing US statements as baseless and delusional. According to Mehr News, Araghchi's remarks underscore Iran's rejection of US pressure tactics and its view that such policies are doomed to fail.