Araghchi: Netanyahu Duped Trump — 'Israel First Always Means America Last'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted a sweeping statement on X on Day 8 evening, directly challenging Trump's framing of the war and inserting a domestic US political wedge into the conflict narrative. Araghchi wrote: President Pezeshkian's openness to de-escalation within our region — provided that our neighbors' airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian People — was almost immediately killed by President Trump's misinterpretation of our capabilities, determination and intent. If Mr Trump seeks escalation, it is precisely what our Powerful Armed Forces have long been prepared for, and what he will get. Responsibility for any intensification of Iran's exercise of self-defense will lie squarely with the US Administration. Araghchi then made a direct appeal to American public opinion: Mr Trump's week-long misadventure has already cost the US military $100 billion, in addition to the lives of young soldiers. When markets reopen, that cost will balloon and directly be transferred to ordinary Americans at pumping stations. He invoked the US intelligence community: Mr Trump's own National Intelligence Council, representing input from the 18 intelligence agencies of the US, determined that war on Iran is destined to fail. He then disclosed a private diplomatic communication: I also warned Mr Trump's envoys that war will not improve their bargaining position. Were these warnings conveyed? The statement closes with the most charged accusation: The American People voted to end involvement in costly quagmires in the Middle East. Instead, they have ended up with an Administration that Netanyahu, after decades of failed attempts, finally managed to dupe into fighting Israel's wars. This is a war of choice pursued by a small cabal of 'Israel Firsters', and 'Israel First' always means 'America Last'. The statement is a sophisticated piece of information warfare: it echoes the language of Trump's own MAGA base (America Last), invokes the intelligence community against the White House, and frames the war as a betrayal of American voters. It is the most effective Iranian diplomatic messaging of the conflict.