No enmity towards American people: Iran's president in open letter to US
Tehran, April 2
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iranian people harbour no enmity towards the American people, accusing the US administration of fighting Iran as a "proxy for Israel."
He made the remarks in a letter addressed to the American people while elaborating on Iran's positions regarding the ongoing war with the United States and Israel, reports Xinhua news agency.
"The Iranian people harbour no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighbouring countries," Pezeshkian said, adding, "Even in the face of repeated foreign interventions and pressures throughout their proud history, Iranians have consistently drawn a clear distinction between governments and the peoples they govern."
Pezeshkian said Iran "has never, in its modern history, chosen the path of aggression, expansion, colonialism, or domination" despite having suffered occupation, invasion, and pressure by global powers.
He said casting Iran as a threat is a narrative manufactured by Israel "to divert global attention away from its crimes toward the Palestinians."
Pezeshkian pointed to the US military buildup and bases around Iran, emphasising that the ongoing US "aggressions" launched from those bases "have demonstrated how threatening such a military presence truly is."
In response to US President Donald Trump's threats of conducting large-scale strikes on Iranian energy facilities in the coming days, he said attacking the country's vital infrastructure directly targets the Iranian people, stressing that such actions constitute "war crimes" and involve consequences extending beyond Iran's borders.
Pezeshkian said the United States has entered the war with Iran as a "proxy for Israel" and under its influence, adding Israel seeks to fight Iran "to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar" in pursuit of its "illegitimate interests."
"Is 'America First' truly among the priorities of the US government today?" he asked.
He added that the world is currently "standing at a crossroads," having to choose between confrontation and engagement.
On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the Middle East.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The point about Israel wanting to fight "to the last American soldier" is a sharp accusation. From our perspective in India, we value strategic autonomy. No country should be a proxy in another's conflict. This escalation is worrying for global trade and energy security. 🙏
While the letter tries to sound reasonable, we cannot forget Iran's own role in regional proxies. It's a bit rich to accuse others of what you also practice. India has always advocated for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Hope cooler heads prevail.
The "crossroads" analogy is apt. The world is indeed at a critical juncture. As someone living in India, I see how Middle East tensions impact oil prices and our economy directly. De-escalation is urgently needed for everyone's sake.
The focus on Palestine is telling. Many in the Global South, including India, have long called for a just solution there. If this conflict diverts attention from Gaza, that's a tragedy. Complex situation, but the human cost is always the worst.
Respectfully, I find parts of this letter disingenuous. Claiming Iran has never chosen aggression in modern history ignores its actions in Yemen, Syria, etc. As Indians, we believe in honest dialogue, not selective narratives. Peace requires accountability from all sides.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.