Iran’s President Urges Pope to Help End Israeli War on Gaza, Lebanon

The Iranian president’s message was delivered to the head of the Catholic Church on Wednesday by Mohammad Mahdi Imanipour, the head of Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization.

Imanipour is heading an Iranian delegation that has taken part in the 12th edition of the interfaith dialogue between Iran and the Vatican, held on November 19 and 20.

The Iranian president, in his message, referred to more than a year of brutal attacks by the Israeli regime on Gaza, and recently in Lebanon, saying that these barbaric attacks continue extensively in disregard for international law and regulations, his official website reported.

“Genocide and extensive destruction of urban and health infrastructures are taking place at a time when the majority of the martyrs and the injured are children and women”, Pezeshkian said, expressing regret that these violations of human rights are being committed in holy lands that have been the birthplace of prophets and messengers of peace and tranquility for mankind.

Considering those conditions and with the existence of threats to regional and global peace and security, Iran has been making special efforts to stop further killing and injuring of innocent people by establishing a ceasefire and preventing the spread of war, the Iranian president noted.

Pezeshkian referred to Israel’s assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July, which was carried out hours after his inaugural as Iranian president.

He said that Iran had intended to swiftly give a decisive response to Israel, based on the UN Charter’s principles for legitimate defense of its territory.

However, the president added, Iran delayed its response in the wake of messages from Western leaders that efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza may be affected.

Despite showing restraint on part of Iran, the Israeli regime continued with its violation of sovereignty of regional countries and conducted a major offensive against Lebanon, which is still ongoing, he added.

“In this unstable situation and with the possibility of the spread of war in the region, I respectfully request you, as the Head of the Catholic Church, to use your good offices to prevent the continuation of inhumane aggression, to establish peace and a ceasefire, and create an opportunity for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the victims,” Pezeshkian said.

He also called on Pope Francis to encourage world leaders, especially Christian countries, to help in those important efforts.

The Iranian president stated that the action will undoubtedly have a significant impact on alleviating the suffering of the victims and addressing the needs of the helpless people, emphasizing that Iran is ready to help in that process.