Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s interview with Fox News contained strategic errors that could damage Iran’s position in future nuclear talks, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency said on Tuesday.
The outlet said Araghchi’s acknowledgment that the US strikes caused “serious damage” to nuclear facilities and led to a halt in enrichment signaled weakness.
“Our facilities have been damaged – seriously damaged,” Araghchi said. “The extent of which is now under evaluation … enrichment has currently ceased.”
Fars called the remarks exaggerated and warned that such statements could be viewed as a sign of excessive flexibility, encouraging the West to increase pressure on Iran.
The agency linked the remarks to a recent comment by US President Donald Trump, who said, “If necessary, we will strike again.”
Araghchi downplays fatwa targeting Trump
Fars also criticized Araghchi for dismissing a clerical fatwa calling for the killing of Trump as a move by “radical groups.” The decree, issued by two senior Iranian clerics, has drawn support from others and sparked online fundraising.
Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Araghchi directly about the fundraising activity. In response, Araghchi distanced the government from the fatwa, a stance Fars said signaled weakness and undermined Iran’s unified position against what it called foreign aggression.
In the same interview, Araghchi also addressed the slogan “Death to America,” saying it is aimed at US foreign policy, not the American people. “It means death to US foreign policy, not death to the people,” he said.
A statement from Iran’s parliament last week said the slogan means “death to Trump” and “those who rule America,” directly targeting US leaders.
Iran denies seeking Israel’s destruction
The interview also drew attention for Araghchi’s comments about Iran’s position on Israel. When asked about threats from Iran-backed groups to wipe Israel off the map, he said: “That is up to them… but this has never been Iran’s policy to wipe out Israel from the map.”
Fars did not directly reference that part of the exchange, but the remarks contrast with statements made by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials over the years expressing support for Israel’s elimination.
Despite affirming Iran’s right to nuclear enrichment, Iran's top diplomat failed to maintain the right balance between diplomacy and deterrence, Fars said.
The interview aired ahead of renewed nuclear talks with Britain, France and Germany, as Tehran faces threats of a UN snapback mechanism and possible reimposition of international sanctions.
"We have presented 1,062 martyrs in this war, including 102 women and 38 children," Fatemeh Mohajerani said in her weekly press briefing. She added that five paramedics, five nurses, and seven emergency responders were also among the casualties.
The civilian toll also included 34 students and five educators. “A number of university professors and academic staff were also martyred,” she said, though she did not provide a specific figure.
Tehran province reported the highest number of fatalities, with 265 people killed.
The government also outlined significant damage to civilian infrastructure. Thirty-six schools across 16 provinces were damaged, along with 219 industrial units ranging from large factories to small production sites.
“Seven hospitals and 11 ambulances were hit, and approximately 8,000 residential units were damaged,” Mohajerani said.Damage was also reported to the homes of 22 university professors.
"Despite the destruction, the reconstruction process has begun," she said, adding that during the conflict, 230 schools were used as shelters and 56 were designated for displaced people.
Mohajerani also said, “The attack on Evin Prison constitutes a war crime according to international institutions.”
The numbers announced by Iran match those accounted for by rights group HRANA. In its post-war report, the group said the conflict resulted in 5,665 casualties, including 1,190 deaths and 4,475 injured, both military and civilian.
Evin Prison attack led to inmate escape, 27 remain at large
Iran’s judiciary confirmed on Tuesday that 75 inmates escaped during last month’s Israeli strike on Tehran’s Evin Prison, and 27 remain unaccounted for.
Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said most of the escapees were low-risk detainees held on minor charges or under light detention orders. “So far, 48 inmates have either returned voluntarily or been arrested,” he said.
Jahangir stressed that “there are no spies or inmates with security-related or major charges among those who escaped.” He added that the identities of those still at large are known, and they will be arrested if they do not turn themselves in.
On June 23, Israel launched multiple missiles at Tehran’s Evin Prison, calling the facility a “tool of repression.” Long seen as a symbol of Iran’s political crackdown, the prison was rocked by explosions that destroyed key areas, including several wards, the infirmary, and the visitation hall, causing immediate and devastating losses.
Among the dead were two prison officials, Ruhollah Tavasoli and Vahid Heydarpour, as well as Evin’s chief prosecutor, Ali Ghanaatkar. Numerous detainees, medical staff, visiting family members — including a young child — and a bystander were also killed.
A judiciary spokesman said on June 29 that 71 people had been confirmed dead, though authorities have yet to release a full list of victims.