Iran’s President Thanks Pope Leo Over Iran War Stance as Pope Reiterates Opposition to Nuclear Arms

16/05/2026

TEHRAN, May 16: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has thanked Pope Leo XIV for what he described as the pontiff’s “moral, logical and fair” stance regarding the conflict involving Iran, while the pope reiterated the Catholic Church’s opposition to nuclear weapons and stressed that violence should only ever be a last resort.

According to a message published by IRNA, Pezeshkian said the recent US and Israeli military actions against Iran represented not only attacks on the country itself but also violations of international law and “human values.”

The Iranian president said Tehran’s actions were carried out “within the framework of legitimate defense,” claiming Iran had targeted the interests and positions of what he called aggressors.

Pezeshkian also linked instability in the Strait of Hormuz to attacks on Iran, the use of Gulf states’ territory and airspace in military operations against Tehran, and what he described as a US maritime blockade.

He added that Iran remains committed to diplomacy and pointed to mediation efforts by Pakistan and recent talks in Islamabad, urging the international community to adopt what he called a “realistic and fair” approach toward the crisis.

The comments came after renewed criticism from Donald Trump, who accused the pope of holding positions that could indirectly benefit Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran should never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and criticized what he viewed as the pope’s stance on the conflict.

However, Pope Leo XIV rejected suggestions that he supports Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, reiterating that the Catholic Church has consistently opposed nuclear arms.

The pope said critics should “speak the truth,” stressing that the Church has long maintained a clear position against all nuclear weapons and emphasizing that his calls are rooted in the Gospel and the pursuit of peace.

Earlier on 6th May, Pope Leo had stated, “If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the gospel, let them do so with the truth: the church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, there is no doubt about that,” the pope said. “I simply hope to be listened to because of the value of God’s word.”