Iran's Foreign Minister Claims Deaths Result from Trump's Desire for Entertainment

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has claimed that US President Donald Trump has launched attacks against Iran “because he wants to have fun”.

“We are prepared to defend ourselves for as long as necessary,” Aragchi said. “There are people who have been killed simply because President Trump wants to have fun… they have sunk ships and targeted various locations because it is enjoyable,” stated Iran’s Foreign Minister during an interview with CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan.

The comments were made as the war between the United States and Israel against Iran continues to escalate, with the Trump administration signalling that the conflict could continue longer than previously anticipated.

“This is President Trump’s and the United States’ war of choice, and we will continue our defence,” he asserted, according to CBS News on Monday, 16 March 2026.

During the CBS interview, Brennan pressed Aragchi about Iran’s drone and missile strikes across the Gulf region and their impact on neighbouring countries hosting American military forces.

Aragchi defended Iran’s actions. He claimed that Tehran only targeted American military assets and installations that house American forces.

“We only targeted American assets, American installations, American military bases,” said Aragchi. “They use their territory to attack us… they use the territory of the United Arab Emirates to attack us,” he stated.

Brennan raised reports that Iranian drones and missiles have struck civilian areas in neighbouring countries. Aragchi denied that civilians were targeted.

Iran’s Foreign Minister also discussed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes. Aragchi said Iran had not formally closed the strait, but acknowledged that some vessels have avoided the route due to security concerns related to the conflict.