Iranian president: "Continuing confrontation is pointless"… Open letter to the U.S.

"No hostility toward other countries such as the U.S., Europe and neighbors" Emphasizes commitment to peace

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that "continuing down the path of confrontation is more costly than ever and a meaningless endeavor," laying out his position on ending the war.

According to Iranian media outlets including Press TV on the 1st (local time), President Pezeshkian said in an open letter addressed to Americans, "The choice between confrontation and engagement is a realistic and serious matter, and its outcome will determine the future of generations to come," adding, "Iranians harbor no hostility toward other countries, including the United States, Europe and our neighbors."

He argued that "the perception that portrays Iran as a threat is a product of great powers’ need to create enemies to maintain military superiority and dominate strategic markets," and claimed that "in this context, the United States has concentrated the largest number of troops, bases and military capabilities around Iran." He added, "Naturally, any country faced with such circumstances would bolster its defenses."

President Pezeshkian stressed that "recent airstrikes have severely affected people’s lives, attitudes and perspectives," and that "this raises the fundamental question of whose interests among Americans this war truly represents." He also pointedly said that "carrying out two attacks during negotiations was a destructive choice by the U.S. government."

He also posed questions such as, "Was it not the case that the United States embarked on this invasion under the influence and manipulation of the Israeli regime?" and "Is Israel not fabricating an Iranian threat to divert the world’s attention from its crimes against Palestinians?"

While placing responsibility on the United States for starting the war, President Pezeshkian refrained from excessive criticism. This appears aimed at finding a path toward a ceasefire and an end to the war through negotiations. However, it has not been confirmed whether Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei or the military leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) coordinated the message with President Pezeshkian in advance.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on social media (SNS) that day, "Iran’s New Regime President just asked the U.S. for a ceasefire," adding that "he is far less radical and much smarter than his predecessors."

Park Su-rim, Hankyung.com reporter paksr365@hankyung.com