In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Iran’s foreign minister addressed the republic’s relations with Gulf states amid strikes on U.S. military bases in the region.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran’s relations with Gulf states remain “good” despite escalating regional hostilities.

In remarks to Al Jazeera on Sunday, Araghchi insisted Iranian strikes were aimed at the United States’ military presence in the region rather than neighbouring countries.

“Our relations are good with the countries on the other side of the Persian Gulf and we have no problems with them,” he stressed a distinction between neighbouring governments and U.S. forces stationed there.

Iranian missiles targeted U.S. military installations in several Gulf nations in retaliation to U.S.-Israeli military operations that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking Iranian officials on Saturday. 

An Israeli airstrike on a girls’ elementary school in Iran’s southern Minab district killed at least 165 people on Saturday, including children and school staff.

“These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered,” Araghchi said in a post on social media.

Araghchi suggested that the country could appoint a new supreme leader “within days” as the nation grapples with a leadership vacuum following Khamenei’s assassination. 

Officials have established a three-member interim leadership council, including Iran’s president, judiciary chief and a cleric from the Guardian Council, to govern until the Assembly of Experts elects a permanent successor.

Araghchi also acknowledged the anger of the Gulf states. “We know that Gulf states are upset about our attacks,” he said, adding that the war was “imposed on us” and urging them to direct their frustration toward the U.S. and Israel.  

“This war was the choice of America and Israel, and pressure should be put on them,” he said.

He also addressed Iran’s attack on a Omani tanker off the coast of Musandam in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was “not our choice”.

“We have already told our Armed Forces to be careful about the targets they choose. Our military units are now, in fact, independent and somewhat isolated, and they are acting based on general instructions given to them in advance.”

Four people were injured in the tanker attack, and all crew members were successfully evacuated.

Araghchi confirmed there is currently no plans to close the Strait of Hormuz or disrupt maritime traffic.

The foreign minister also revealed he is in constant contact with his regional counterparts to explain Tehran’s position and recognize that “some are not happy and some are angry.” 

He warned that Iran cannot be expected to remain silent if attacks against it are launched