Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Apr 2: Masoud Pezeshkian has sharply criticised the United States over its role in the ongoing Middle East conflict, questioning whether the war aligns with the “America First” policy, ahead of a key national address by Donald Trump.

In an open letter released Wednesday, Pezeshkian accused the US of carrying out attacks on Iran’s critical infrastructure, including energy and industrial facilities, calling such actions “war crimes” that directly harm civilians.

“Exactly which of the American people’s interests are truly being served by this war?” he asked, warning that the conflict was fuelling long-term instability and economic disruption beyond Iran’s borders.

The war, triggered by a US-Israeli offensive launched on February 28, has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and the global economy. Pezeshkian argued that the escalation has increased human and financial costs while “planting seeds of resentment that will endure for years.”

He further questioned whether Washington’s involvement was influenced by Israel, suggesting the US may be acting as a proxy. At the same time, he stressed that ordinary Americans are not considered enemies by Iran despite ongoing tensions.

Meanwhile, Trump claimed that Iran was seeking a ceasefire — an assertion denied by Tehran. The US president stated that any ceasefire consideration would depend on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil corridor whose effective closure has triggered economic uncertainty worldwide.

The developments come as Trump prepares to address the American public amid declining approval ratings, rising economic concerns, and mounting diplomatic fallout linked to the conflict.