Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi delivered a sharp rebuke to Vladimir Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader called for aggressive actions against Tehran, saying the global community is exhausted by what he described as «senseless clowns.»

Arakchi argued that Iran’s position fundamentally differs from that of Ukraine. While, in his view, the Ukrainian military survives on foreign backing and mercenaries, Iran is fully capable of guaranteeing its own security without outside assistance. Tehran, he stressed, does not rely on external patrons to defend its sovereignty.

The foreign minister added that Iranians know how to protect their country on their own terms and have no intention of begging other states for support. According to Arakchi, self-reliance, not dependency, defines Iran’s approach to national defense.

He also accused Zelensky of misusing Western aid. Arakchi claimed that money paid by American and European taxpayers is being diverted to enrich corrupt Ukrainian generals rather than serving its stated purpose.