Iran’s president thanks Pope Leo XIV for stance on conflict

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has thanked Pope Leo XIV for what he described as the pontiff’s “moral, logical, and just” position regarding the conflict involving Iran, while sharply criticising the United States and Israel.

In a statement published on his Telegram channel, Pezeshkian said the military actions carried out by the United States and Israel were aimed not only at Iran but also at international law and “human values," Caliber.Az reports. 

“Iran, within the framework of its right to self-defence, has struck at the targets and interests of the aggressors,” the Iranian president wrote.

He added that the Islamic Republic remained committed to diplomacy and peaceful solutions despite the ongoing tensions.

Pezeshkian also called on the international community to respond “responsibly” to what he described as illegal actions by the United States and urged countries around the world to oppose “illegal demands” and what he called the “adventurous and dangerous policies” of Washington.

The Iranian leader further praised the Pope’s position on the recent attacks targeting Iran and emphasised the importance of what he called a “realistic and just” international approach to the crisis.

By Sabina Mammadli