Iranian FM Denounces Adelson Over Iran Claims to Israel Hayom

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israeli-American Miriam Adelson of attempting to influence U.S. Policy toward Iran through reporting in Israel Hayom, an Israeli newspaper founded by her late husband, Sheldon Adelson. The criticism came Wednesday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to meet with President Donald Trump.

Araghchi, writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, asserted that whenever Israel Hayom publishes a “dramatic claim about Iran,” it is necessary to question who benefits. He further stated, “Even the US president has acknowledged where her primary loyalties lie.”

The dispute centers on a recent Israel Hayom report, published just hours before Netanyahu’s White House visit, alleging Iranian deception of the Trump administration. According to the report, intelligence obtained by Mossad and Western sources indicates Iran secretly executed thousands of detained protesters while simultaneously assuring the U.S. Of its willingness to negotiate on missile programs. Araghchi dismissed the report as false, claiming “no executions have taken place, no court process has been concluded, and more than 2,000 prisoners have been pardoned” following weeks of anti-regime protests.

The accusations from Araghchi echo concerns raised in a report by The Times of Israel, which noted that Israel Hayom is frequently described as “Miriam Adelson’s mouthpiece.”

In a separate interview with Russia Today, broadcast Tuesday, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s preference for a “diplomatic solution” to ongoing negotiations with Washington. He expressed lingering distrust of the U.S., citing a previous instance where the U.S. Launched an attack on Iran during negotiations last June. “We still do not have full trust in Americans,” he said, adding that Iran is prepared for both diplomacy and defense.

Araghchi affirmed that Iran’s uranium enrichment program is “strictly peaceful” and a matter of sovereign right, while as well suggesting Iran could offer guarantees against developing nuclear weapons if reciprocity is shown. He ruled out negotiations on Iran’s ballistic missile program or regional proxy network, stating these issues are unrelated to the nuclear matter.

Araghchi also labeled Netanyahu a “warmonger” attempting to draw the U.S. Into a wider conflict with Iran, warning that any attack on Iran would be met with retaliation against U.S. Assets and bases across the Middle East. He emphasized Iran’s improved military capabilities since last June.

In a post marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Araghchi denounced the U.S. And Israel, as well as the ongoing anti-regime protests, characterizing the past year as marked by “an unprecedented attack by two nuclear-armed regimes and then a massive terrorist operation.” He expressed hope that “dialogue” would prevail, while asserting Iran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty “whatever the cost.”