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.'”
