Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Iranians abroad in an open letter on Monday that Tehran was determined to mend fences abroad through diplomacy and fix its economy, weeks after a punishing conflict with Israel and the United States.
The missive from the relative moderate president appeared aimed at projecting a conciliatory tone abroad as Iran's diplomatic and economic isolation has deepened.
“We still believe the window of diplomacy is open, and we are seriously pursuing this peaceful path by mobilizing all political capacities,” Pezeshkian wrote.
Many diaspora Iranians fled the country and are deeply skeptical of official policy, especially as the value of the Iranian currency has cratered and costs of living soar.
In his letter, Pezeshkian vowed to address domestic woes as a priority.
“All executive agencies and government servants are paying special attention to this issue, and public satisfaction is the main criterion for our planning and actions," he said. "We are doing our utmost to ensure that people face no difficulty in livelihood or healthcare."
While Pezeshkian has repeatedly signaled willingness to resume diplomacy, hardline voices within the Islamic Republic maintained pre-war red lines.
“Uranium enrichment is one of our red lines,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “If negotiations are to be contingent on halting enrichment, they will definitely not take place,” he told Pakistan’s interior minister during a meeting in Tehran.
In his letter, Pezeshkian said Tehran enjoyed support from the Iranian diaspora during the war and cited unity among “critics and non-critics" but cited Iran's might in arms.
"Our national security is guaranteed both by military strength and by the unity of hearts and social cohesion. Now is the time to look forward and step toward a more prosperous Iran, backed by our nation’s vast social capital."
