Pezeshkian Outlines Conditions for Peace

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently affirmed that his nation possesses the necessary resolve to conclude the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. During a phone conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa, Pezeshkian emphasized that peace is contingent upon receiving concrete guarantees that the current aggression will not be repeated.

This statement follows Iran's rejection of a 15-point US peace plan. In response, Tehran submitted a five-point counterproposal, which centers on the immediate cessation of attacks and the establishment of a formal mechanism to ensure that neither the US nor Israel resumes hostilities.

Criticism of European Stance

During his discussion with Costa, President Pezeshkian warned that any external intervention in the conflict would lead to serious consequences. He further criticized the European Union for its perceived silence regarding US-Israeli strikes, labeling the EU's position as inconsistent with its stated commitment to human rights and international law.

In response, Antonio Costa stated that Europe does not support the attacks on Iran. He expressed significant concern regarding the global impact of the war and urged both sides to prioritize de-escalation and a return to diplomatic negotiations.

Humanitarian Impact and Civilian Casualties

The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian toll. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani reported that at least 249 women and 216 children have been killed since the war began last month. Among the fatalities were 17 children under the age of five, all of whom were civilians.

Additional casualties were reported following strikes on civilian infrastructure, including a charity center and a natural resources facility in the city of Fardis. These attacks resulted in two deaths and five injuries.

Widespread Damage to Infrastructure

Data from the Iranian Red Crescent Society highlights the extensive destruction caused by the military strikes:

  • Residential Units: 90,063 homes damaged.
  • Commercial Properties: 21,059 facilities affected.
  • Educational Centers: 760 schools and institutions damaged.
  • Relief Assets: 18 Red Crescent facilities and three relief helicopters sustained damage.

According to government figures, over 105,000 civilian sites have been targeted since February 28. Tens of thousands of buildings in Tehran alone have suffered damage as a result of the ongoing military campaign.