Iran’s President-Elect Massoud Pezeshkian Criticizes Netanyahu’s US Visit
Photo: Reuters
On Friday, Iran’s president-elect Massoud Pezeshkian made headlines with a pointed remark seemingly directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Pezeshkian, who is set to assume office soon, stated, “you can’t purify a criminal with standing ovations,” in apparent reference to Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., where the Israeli leader was warmly received and applauded by the US Congress. Pezeshkian’s statement, posted on his X platform account, emphasized the gravity of crimes involving the killing of innocent and defenseless individuals, asserting that such actions cannot be absolved or overlooked through public accolades. “You cannot ignore the crime of killing innocent people and defenseless children, nor can you purify a criminal with a standing ovation,” he wrote, refraining from naming Netanyahu directly but leaving little ambiguity about the target of his criticism. The president-elect further underscored his point by quoting a verse from the Koran: “And those who were unjust will know to what end they return,” suggesting that those who commit injustices will ultimately face consequences.
