In a significant diplomatic overture, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has directly addressed the American people through an open letter, asserting that Iran harbors no enmity toward ordinary citizens of the United States. The message, reported by Iran’s Press TV, comes amid prolonged tensions between Tehran and Washington and seeks to distinguish between government policies and public sentiment.
President Pezeshkian framed Iran as a historically non-aggressive power, stating that portraying the nation as a threat contradicts both historical record and contemporary facts. “Despite its long history and regional strength, Iran has never, in its modern history, chosen the path of aggression, expansion, colonialism, or domination,” he wrote, emphasizing that Iran’s military actions have solely been in response to external attacks.
The Iranian leader drew a clear distinction between governments and their populations, a theme central to his communication. “The Iranian people harbor no ill will towards Americans,” Pezeshkian declared, describing this separation as a deeply rooted cultural principle rather than a temporary political stance. He extended this sentiment to include people of Europe and neighboring countries, reinforcing Iran’s official position of maintaining peaceful relations with global citizens.
Pezehskian characterized the perception of Iran as a regional danger as a manufactured narrative serving political and economic interests. “Such a view is the product of political and economic whims of the powerful—the need to manufacture an enemy to justify pressure, maintain military dominance, sustain the arms industry, and control strategic markets,” he argued. The president suggested that when genuine threats don’t exist, they are invented to serve these purposes.
The letter identified the substantial U.S. military presence surrounding Iran as the actual source of regional instability. Pezeshkian cited recent American military actions launched from regional bases as evidence of this threat, defending Iran’s defensive military posture as a necessary response. “Naturally, no country confronted with such conditions would forgo strengthening its defensive capabilities,” he stated, asserting that Iran’s military development represents measured self-defense rather than aggression.
Historical grievances featured prominently in the communication, with Pezeshkian referencing the 1953 U.S.-backed coup against Iran’s democratically elected government, support for Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War, crippling economic sanctions, and recent military actions. Despite these pressures, the president highlighted Iran’s resilience and development, noting that literacy rates have tripled to over 90% since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and pointing to advances in technology, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Pezehskian’s letter represents the latest in a series of Iranian attempts to communicate directly with Western publics, bypassing official diplomatic channels. The message arrives as regional tensions remain high following incidents in the Persian Gulf and ongoing negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program. While extending this olive branch to the American people, the president maintained Iran’s firm stance against what it perceives as hostile U.S. policies in the Middle East.
Source: ARY News