Masoud Pezeshkian has taken his message directly to Americans in a lengthy open letter, defending Iran’s global stance while sharply criticising U.S. policies amid the escalating Middle East conflict.
Addressing the people of the United States, the Iranian leader said the ongoing war has been accompanied by what he described as widespread misinformation about Iran’s intentions. He urged readers to seek the truth beyond what he called distorted narratives surrounding the crisis.
Pezeshkian portrayed Iran as one of the world’s oldest civilisations, insisting the country has not pursued aggression or expansion in modern times. According to him, Iran has never started a war but has always defended itself when attacked.
He also stressed that ordinary Iranians do not see the American people as enemies, saying the nation traditionally distinguishes between foreign governments and their citizens.
The president argued that portraying Iran as a global threat is politically motivated. In his view, powerful countries sometimes create or exaggerate enemies to justify geopolitical actions. He pointed to the heavy presence of American military bases and forces surrounding Iran as evidence of growing pressure on the country.
Pezeshkian also revisited historical tensions between both nations, referencing the 1953 Iranian coup d’état as a major turning point that damaged trust between Tehran and Washington. He said U.S. support for Iran’s former monarchy and backing of Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War deepened that mistrust, along with decades of sanctions imposed on the country.
Despite these challenges, he claimed Iran has made significant progress in education, healthcare, technology and infrastructure, arguing that sanctions and pressure have not weakened the country. However, he acknowledged that prolonged sanctions and military conflict have had severe consequences for ordinary citizens.
In the letter, Pezeshkian posed several questions to Americans about the purpose of the current war, asking whether U.S. national interests are truly being served by continued military action. He also criticised rhetoric about bombing countries “back to the stone age,” warning that such approaches only fuel instability.
The Iranian leader further accused Washington of abandoning diplomacy, saying Iran had previously honoured international agreements before tensions escalated again. He warned that attacks on infrastructure and cities would only deepen suffering and prolong the cycle of conflict.
Pezeshkian also suggested that U.S. actions under Donald Trump may be influenced by regional politics involving Israel.
He concluded by urging Americans to look beyond political narratives and seek direct understanding of Iran and its people. According to him, the world now stands at a critical crossroads between confrontation and diplomacy — a choice that could shape global stability for generations.
