Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for what he described as a “moral, logical and fair” position regarding recent US military strikes on Iran.
According to Iran’s state media reports cited by Al Jazeera, the Iranian president said the Pope’s comments reflected concern over the legality and timing of the strikes, which Tehran argues were carried out during ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Iran alleges violations of international law
Pezeshkian claimed that the strikes were conducted under false pretences and with Israeli support, and that they violated international law.
He also emphasized that the attacks occurred while Iran and the United States were still engaged in negotiations, suggesting that the timing undermined diplomatic efforts.
Reference to controversial statements
The Iranian president further referred to remarks attributed to US President Donald Trump, alleging that Trump made comments about “destroying Iran’s historical civilisation and returning it to the Stone Age.”
Pezeshkian described these alleged remarks as “dangerous and shameless,” though no independent verification of the quoted statement was provided in the report.
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Diplomatic and symbolic significance
The comments highlight Iran’s effort to draw international moral and diplomatic support in the wake of heightened tensions with the United States and Israel.
The Vatican has historically played a symbolic role in global peace appeals, often calling for restraint in conflicts involving major powers and nuclear-armed states.
Broader context of regional tensions
The statement comes amid continuing instability in the Middle East, where military confrontations, ceasefire negotiations, and diplomatic exchanges have been unfolding simultaneously.
Iran has repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of escalating regional tensions, while Western governments have defended their actions as security-related responses to broader threats.
Ongoing war of narratives
The exchange reflects an ongoing information and diplomatic battle between Tehran and Washington, with both sides seeking international support for their positions.
Analysts say such statements are part of broader efforts to shape global perception as the conflict continues to evolve across multiple diplomatic and military fronts.
