WANA (Sep 11) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has criticized US and Israeli policies toward Iran, saying Tehran will not surrender to pressure or intimidation and stressing that the United States does not want Iran to remain independent.

 

Speaking on Friday in New Delhi at a meeting with Indian religious leaders, intellectuals and businesspeople, Pezeshkian said Iran’s resistance to the United States and Israel was a response to what he described as their “bullying,” adding that Iran would not bow to such pressure.

 

Responding to accusations made by US officials against Iran, Pezeshkian said, “Are we terrorists, or are you, who kill 168 innocent children in a single moment using your technology? Are we terrorists, or are you, who bomb and destroy universities, scientists and human beings?”

 

The Iranian president also criticized attacks on infrastructure and restrictions imposed on civilians, saying that if the other side claims to uphold humanitarian values, it should not block people’s access to water, food, bread and communications.

 

Pezeshkian also described justice and the fight against oppression and injustice as shared principles among religions, saying that, according to religious beliefs, prophets were sent to guide societies and establish justice. He stressed that abuse of power and violations of people’s rights would ultimately lead to failure and destruction.

 

Referring to US pressure on Iran, Pezeshkian said the objective of such pressure was to force the Iranian people into submission by restricting access to essential resources and communications. However, he said, the Iranian people would not surrender.

 

He further stressed the equality of human beings, saying that no person is superior to another except on the basis of piety and righteousness. He added that Iran would not only refuse to bow to intimidation but would also support the rights of the oppressed.

 

Pezeshkian called for greater cooperation between Iran and India in economic, commercial, scientific and cultural fields, urging industrialists, scientists and businesspeople from the two countries to strengthen ties and share their experiences in order to promote development.

 

He said Iran sought to build a society in which people could live “free from oppression, colonialism and exploitation,” adding, “This is what we want in Iran, and this is what the United States does not want.”

 

The Iranian president also accused the United States of seeking to create divisions within Iranian society, saying that since the Islamic Revolution, war, division and sanctions against Iran had continued to increase.

 

Rejecting the idea that the United States should determine the course of other countries, Pezeshkian said, “Who said the United States should make decisions for the whole world? It is not the case that everyone else should obey whatever they want.”

 

Pezeshkian concluded by expressing hope that Iran and India could strengthen their solidarity and cooperation and support each other in trade, economic and cultural fields.

Pezeshkian Receives “Shawl of Love” in India

During the same meeting, one of the guests presented Pezeshkian with a traditional shawl as a gesture of respect and affection and placed it over the Iranian president’s shoulders.

 

The gesture took place following remarks by Iran’s ambassador to New Delhi and was part of a longstanding Indian tradition. In many parts of India, presenting or draping a shawl over someone during welcoming, honoring or appreciation ceremonies is regarded as a symbol of respect, affection and honor.