Tehran

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday accused the United States of attempting to partition Iran and gain control of its oil reserves as the conflict in West Asia intensifies.

Speaking at a press briefing in Tehran, Baghaei alleged that Washington’s broader strategy, along with support from Israel, is aimed at undermining Iran’s sovereignty and weakening the country.

He claimed the United States is trying to justify its military actions by portraying Iran as a threat, despite Tehran’s efforts to pursue diplomacy before the recent escalation.

“They aim to divide our country in order to illegally control our oil resources,” Baghaei said, adding that Iran had been engaged in multiple diplomatic efforts and rounds of negotiations prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

According to the spokesperson, the United States is seeking to expand its influence over global energy supplies, including those of Iran and Venezuela. He argued that such a move could allow Washington to control a significant portion of the world’s oil resources.

Baghaei said Iran’s immediate priority remains the defence of its territory and sovereignty in the face of what he described as “brutal attacks” by its adversaries.

The remarks come amid escalating tensions in West Asia following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on American military bases in several Arab countries and Israeli targets across the region, further widening the conflict.

Israel, backed by the United States, has continued airstrikes on Iranian targets, while also expanding operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah and other groups aligned with Tehran.

Amid the turmoil, Iran’s clerical body responsible for selecting the country’s supreme leader, the Assembly of Experts, announced the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei — son of the late leader — as the new supreme leader.

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The move marks a significant moment in Iran’s political history, making Mojtaba Khamenei the third supreme leader of the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.