Iran's Araghchi dismisses, smiles at reporter's question on regime's execution, torture of Iranians

Jerusalem Post/Middle East/Iran NewsOn Monday, Araghchi denounced other countries for not condemning alleged "atrocities" committed in Iran by the United States and Israel.Follow us on GoogleIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in Istanbul, Turkey, January 30, 2026; illustrative.(photo credit: REUTERS/DILARA SENKAYA)SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 21:40Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi smiled in response to a question asked by a reporter on Friday regarding his regime's execution, torture, and imprisonment of Iranian citizens.Fox News Digital reporter Efrat Lachter posted footage of the interaction to her X/Twitter account, showing Araghchi smiling and ultimately dismissing her question.In the post, she wrote: "Tried to ask Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi how he can call himself 'a victim of terrorism' while his government has executed more than 900 Iranians this year, and while thousands of others have been tortured and imprisoned?""What, exactly, did he find amusing?" Lachter asked in her post.Her question pertained to comments on Wednesday by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the leader's speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he accused US President Donald Trump of "bullying" the Islamic Republic.Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 23, 2026 (credit: Mike Segar/Reuters)“The US president described us as terrorists,” he said. “We have been the victims of terrorism.”Araghchi ahead of UNGA: Israel given too much freedomOn Monday, Araghchi accused Israel of being given "a completely free hand to do whatever it wishes" while speaking to reporters after arriving in New York ahead of the UNGA, noting that Iran's goal in attending the event was to "defend the legitimacy, rights and interests of the Iranian people."Araghchi further denounced other countries for not condemning alleged "atrocities" committed in Iran by the United States and Israel."In the face of the atrocities that occurred - where 168 innocent children were deliberately massacred in a single instant - these countries do not even issue a simple condemnation," he said.Seth J. Frantzman and Tzvi Jasper contributed to this report.Follow us on Google