Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of misleading the United States into war with Iran, claiming the Israeli leader manipulated Washington into taking military action against Tehran.
In a post on X, Araghchi described Netanyahu as a “serpent” and alleged that the Israeli prime minister had spoken about influencing American public opinion through frequent appearances on major US television networks.
Araghchi also contrasted what he described as Netanyahu’s private remarks in Hebrew with his public statements praising US President Donald Trump. The Iranian minister suggested that Netanyahu presented different messages to American audiences while seeking to persuade Washington to support military action against Iran.
The accusations come amid heightened tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States following the outbreak of direct hostilities. Tehran has repeatedly accused Israel and Washington of pursuing an agenda aimed at weakening Iran, while Israel and the US have defended their actions as necessary for national and regional security.
The Iranian foreign minister’s comments are part of Tehran’s broader diplomatic campaign to challenge Israel’s role in shaping US policy toward Iran. They also highlight growing debate over the strategic objectives behind the conflict and the extent of Israeli influence on American decision-making.
Netanyahu has previously rejected suggestions that he manipulated Trump into military action, maintaining that the US president makes his own decisions.
Araghchi’s latest remarks are likely to add to the already intense diplomatic confrontation between Tehran, Jerusalem and Washington as efforts to manage the conflict face significant challenges.