A top Iranian official has strongly condemned the recent remarks made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in which he compared Iranian leaders to “rats.” The official, Ali Larijani, who serves as the secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council, has criticized Hegseth’s statement as highly offensive and disrespectful.
During a press conference on Friday morning, Hegseth stated, “Iran’s leadership is in no better shape, desperate and hiding, they’ve gone underground. That’s what rats do.” His words have sparked outrage and condemnation from the Iranian government, with Larijani calling them “unacceptable and baseless.”
Larijani went on to explain that Hegseth’s comparison of Iranian leaders to rats is not only insulting, but also reflects a lack of understanding of the current political situation in Iran. He stated, “Iran’s leadership is not hiding or desperate, but rather, they are working tirelessly to serve and protect the interests of our nation and its people.”
The Iranian official also pointed out that Hegseth’s remarks are a clear indication of the United States’ hostile attitude towards Iran. He stated, “Such derogatory comments from a top US official only further escalate tensions between our two countries and do not contribute to finding a peaceful solution to our differences.”
Larijani also emphasized that Iran’s leadership is committed to upholding the country’s national interests and will not be deterred by such disrespectful and baseless statements. He stated, “Our leaders have always acted with integrity and have shown great resilience in the face of adversity. They will not be swayed by derogatory remarks from foreign officials.”
The Iranian official also highlighted the numerous achievements and progress made by the country under the leadership of President Hassan Rouhani. He stated, “Under President Rouhani’s leadership, Iran has made significant strides in various fields, including economy, science, and technology. Our country is in a much better shape than it was before, and we will continue to work towards further progress and development.”
In conclusion, Larijani strongly condemned Hegseth’s comparison of Iranian leaders to rats and urged the US to show more respect and understanding towards Iran and its leadership. He stated, “We hope that the US will refrain from making such offensive statements and instead, focus on finding ways to improve our bilateral relations. Iran is a proud nation with a rich history and we will not tolerate any disrespect towards our leaders.”
