As President Donald Trump posts AI-generated videos of Kharg Island being obliterated, one of Iran’s highest-ranking leaders is appealing to their most powerful allies for assistance.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the second-highest official in the Islamic Republic, met Monday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. His message was reportedly one of frustration, characterizing the Trump administration as the main obstruction to peace while appealing for help from New Delhi.
“We are not seeking war, and this is a clear message we have sent to the world,” Pezeshkian told government-run news outlet Islamic Republic News Agency on Monday. “However, we will never stand idly by in the face of any aggression and will give a decisive response to the aggressors.”
He continued: “The [Shanghai Cooperation Organization] meeting stands as a symbol of the existence of diverse and independent voices on the global stage at a time when some international institutions are seeking to create a single-voice environment in the world.”
India, as an ally of the United States, would be crossing a red line by offering direct or even indirect aid to Tehran, given the extensive sanctions placed on the regime.
But Modi posted a statement to social media after the discussion saying he “reiterated our commitment to strengthening India’s long standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors.”
“We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come. We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace,” Modi continued, adding that his government would like to “join hands and work together to ensure the security, economic prosperity, and development of the region.”
He added: “India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace.”
Pezeshkian is seeking further audiences with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping, both of whom are attending the summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Iran remains defiant against the U.S. after a series of false starts on diplomacy that ultimately ended up without any change to the conflict, including an ill-fated memorandum of understanding abandoned by both sides.
The U.S. military alleged Sunday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was attempting to scatter sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting their first strikes against Iran in over a month. In response to those attacks, which hit Larak Island, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at bases in Jordan.
Those missiles were intercepted, and U.S. servicemen were reportedly unharmed.
The dust-up infuriated Trump, however, who posted a statement to Truth Social asserting that the “only thing[s]” Iran has are “FAKE NEWS from the USA, a willingness to kill their protesters (now over 100,000 people dead. They must be tried for war crimes against humanity!), and a good line of ‘BULLSHIT.’”
“Iran is officially a Failed Nation. IT IS DEAD!” he wrote. “They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, they have no currency, they are not paying their soldiers or police, Inflation is at 300%, and their leadership is in total disarray and incapable of properly representing the country.”
The president has also posted AI-generated videos depicting the U.S. military causing a massive explosion on Iran’s Kharg Island.
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Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who remains unseen since being injured in the opening days of Operation Epic Fury, issued a rare written message over the weekend urging Muslim world leaders to “know your real enemy, understand its plans and confront it” — referring to the U.S.
“The solution to the problems of the Islamic nations is unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness,” Khamenei said in his message, which was disseminated through his Telegram account. “Anyone, in any position, who does anything that leads to division among Muslims and creates conflict in the Muslim community, knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, has served the purpose of the enemies of Islam.”
He evoked the ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, questioning whether the Palestinian population would be as vulnerable as it is had Muslim countries established a united political front.