Iran’s President Thanks Pope for Moral Stance Against US-Israeli Aggression

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for his “moral stance” against US-Israeli attacks on Iran, urging the international community to adopt a realistic and fair approach to counter what he called Washington’s “illegal demands and adventurous, dangerous policies.” The criminal US-Israeli aggression against Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders, including Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state sources. In a message addressed to the leader of the world’s Catholics, Pezeshkian stated that the “destructive approach” of the United States and Israel, along with their “illegitimate attacks,” is not directed solely against Iran. He argued that it is an assault on the rule of law at the global level, international law, human values, and the teachings of divine religions — adding that the costs of this dangerous approach will inevitably be borne by the entire international community. Iranian Armed Forces have responded by launching daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in Israeli-occupied territories as well as US military bases and assets across the region. The president emphasized that Iran has consistently proven its commitment to diplomacy and peaceful solutions for resolving issues, including with the US government. He said that despite repeated US betrayals of the negotiating table, Iran has welcomed Pakistan’s mediation and entered the Islamabad talks in good faith and professionally. Pezeshkian quoted what he described as “dangerous” and “shameless” remarks by US President Donald Trump about intending to “destroy Iran’s historical civilization and send it back to the Stone Age.” These remarks, he said, “stem from the illusion of absolute power and are rooted in arrogance, bullying, greed, and an attempt to resolve conflicts through unbridled violence — something the human conscience is incapable of understanding or tolerating.” The president warned that the use of US military bases in Persian Gulf countries for the recent aggression forced Iran’s Armed Forces, in self-defense, to target aggressor interests and assets in those countries. “This is while, as history testifies, we have never threatened or encroached upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our neighbors, and we continue to seek the best possible relations with all our neighbors, as well as a life of peace, tranquility, and prosperity in the region,” he stated. Pezeshkian concluded by reaffirming Iran’s commitment to dialogue and peaceful problem-solving, stating that Iran’s resistance to illegal US demands is tantamount to defending international law and human values. “The international community is expected to adopt a realistic and fair approach to counter the illegal demands and adventurous, dangerous policies of the United States,” he added.