Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has alleged that the United States could orchestrate an incident “similar to the September 11 attacks” and blame Iran for it.
Posting on X, Larijani reiterated Iran’s position on combating terrorism and said the country is committed to defending its sovereignty while rejecting accusations from American officials.
He said Iran does not seek conflict with the American people but would respond firmly to what it described as aggression from the United States and Israel.
“I have heard that the remnants of the Epstein team have devised a plot to provoke a 9/11-style incident and blame it on Iran. Iran is principally opposed to such terrorist programs and is not at war with the American people. Today, given the US and Israeli aggression against Iran, it is in a defensive position.
Of course, in this defense, Iran is very strong and determined to punish the aggressors,” Larijani stated.
pic.twitter.com/36ohA6eJN9— Ali Larijani | علی لاریجانی (@alilarijani_ir) March 15, 2026
According to Larijani, Tehran opposes such scenarios and does not support terrorist acts. However, the Iranian side did not provide any evidence to support the claim.
Larijani, who was appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in August, has held several senior roles in Iran and is known for his close ties with Ali Khamenei.
His role as a key strategist for the Iranian leadership was highlighted by a recent visit to Oman aimed at preparing for indirect nuclear talks with the United States. In recent months, he has also travelled to Moscow to discuss security ties with Russian officials.
Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, called on other countries to avoid actions that could widen the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
During a phone call with Jean-Noel Barrot, the Foreign Minister of France, Araghchi urged countries to “refrain from any action that could lead to escalation and expansion of the conflict”, according to a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry.
His remarks came after Donald Trump called for other nations to send warships to help secure global oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected by threats linked to the ongoing tensions in the region.
Larijani, a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, served as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator between 2005 and 2007 and later as parliament speaker from 2008 to 2020.
During his tenure as speaker, Iran reached a nuclear agreement with six world powers in 2015 after prolonged negotiations. However, the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump.
The United States and Israel have long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies, maintaining that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes.
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