Iranian President Pezeshkian wrote on the 3rd: "Isn't threatening to send an entire nation back to the Stone Age itself a heinous war crime? I posed this question to my Finnish counterpart, a jurist. History is replete with examples of people paying a heavy price for remaining silent in the face of criminals."
The core of this incident lies in Iranian President Pezeshkian's firm rebuttal to U.S. President Trump's threat of "sending Iran back to the Stone Age." By leveraging international legal terminology and diplomatic platforms, he aims to seize the moral high ground, expose America’s war intentions, and demonstrate a strategic approach of "using force against force."
In a nationwide address on April 1, 2026, U.S. President Trump threatened to launch a fierce strike on Iran to pressure it into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, vowing to drive Iran "back to the Stone Age."
Immediately afterward, Iranian President Pezeshkian responded on social media, stating that such remarks are tantamount to "massive war crimes."
Pezeshkian emphasized that "history has seen too many who paid dearly for silence before criminals," linking the potentially severe consequences of inaction to historical lessons, and thus calling on the international community to speak out and intervene.
By posing his question to Finland’s President—himself a PhD in law—Pezeshkian labeled Trump’s threat as a "war crime," aiming to position himself morally within the framework of international law while simultaneously seeking broader international public support.
In Iran, President Pezeshkian (a reformist) faces significant internal divisions with the Revolutionary Guard (hardliners). By issuing strong public statements, the reformists are asserting their domestic voice, demonstrating resolute defense of national interests, and balancing the pressure exerted by hardliners.
Engaging with Finland’s President is part of his broader diplomatic effort aimed at encouraging the EU to adopt a more proactive mediation stance. Choosing Finland’s President Alexander Stubb as the interlocutor—due to his academic background in law—makes Pezeshkian’s legal arguments regarding "war crimes" more targeted and credible.
In summary, Pezeshkian’s statement comes amid escalating military tensions between the U.S. and Iran, delicate domestic political dynamics in Iran, and external efforts to achieve diplomatic breakthroughs—a carefully orchestrated public relations counterattack designed to skillfully leverage international law and diplomatic dialogue to counterbalance America’s maximalist pressure tactics.
President Pezeshkian of Iran is a jurist; communicating with Finland’s President Stubb—who also holds a doctorate in law—about Trump’s threats to destroy Iran, his actions may appear mild at first glance, but in reality, they are quite forceful and carry significant impact.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861463674507276/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.