Iran VP Blames Nuclear Enrichment Stance for Supreme Leader’s Death, Infrastructure Losses

TEHRAN, Aug 28:  Iranian Vice President Jafar Ghaempanah said he would have supported stopping uranium enrichment if he had known that the United States would kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, according to remarks carried by Iranian state media.

Ghaempanah, executive vice president to President Masoud Pezeshkian, said Iran should consider the costs of pursuing objectives when those goals could potentially be achieved through less costly means.

“If it were me, and I knew America would martyr our leader, I would have stopped enrichment,” Ghaempanah said.

He questioned why Iran’s industries and infrastructure should become targets in the conflict, citing attacks or damage to roads, refineries and electricity facilities.

“Why should they hit our industries and our roads? Why should they hit our refineries and electricity?” he said, warning that damage to power infrastructure and refineries could increase unemployment and place further pressure on the Iranian economy.

Ghaempanah said Iran should not accept high costs for objectives that could be achieved at a lower price, emphasizing the importance of preserving the country itself.

“What cost could be higher than the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader?” he said.

“We are not all supposed to become martyrs. Iran is supposed to remain,” Ghaempanah added.