War Crimes of the US and Israel Backfired at Their Polls, Says Iranian President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States and Israel of facing political consequences for their military actions in the region, arguing that recent electoral outcomes reflect public opposition to leaders associated with war.

Pezeshkian made the remarks before leaving Tehran for Türkiye on Wednesday to attend the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), according to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency. He said the summit would provide an opportunity to discuss regional developments and environmental damage caused by military operations.

The Iranian president said 196 countries were participating in the conference, with 71 delegations led by presidents or prime ministers. He indicated that he would raise the ecological impact of attacks by the United States and Israel on Tehran and neighbouring areas.

MEETINGS WITH ERDOGAN AND OTHER LEADERS

Pezeshkian said bilateral meetings with representatives of more than 10 countries had been scheduled on the sidelines of the summit, including talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Describing relations between Tehran and Ankara as being in a particularly positive phase, he said shared economic, social, cultural and regional interests provided a basis for closer cooperation and stability.

He also said he intended to discuss what he described as crimes committed by the United States and Israel across the region. According to Mehr, Pezeshkian argued that electoral outcomes in Western countries and Palestine ran contrary to the stated democratic and human rights principles of governments involved in the conflict.

He expressed hope that the Iranian delegation would convey the concerns of the country's people and secure positive outcomes from the conference.

US TREASURY SECRETARY REPORTEDLY MOVED TO MILITARY BASE

Pezeshkian's remarks come amid heightened security concerns in Washington. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved from his residence to a military base following threats to his safety allegedly linked to Iran, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The nature and severity of the reported threats remain unclear. US officials have assessed that Iran's ability to organise large-scale attacks inside the United States or abroad remains limited, the newspaper reported. Tehran has repeatedly denied accusations that it is plotting attacks against Americans on US soil.

Bessent has played a central role in Washington's economic pressure campaign against Iran. The Treasury Department has used sanctions targeting individuals, companies, maritime networks and participants in the oil trade to restrict Iranian revenues and financial channels.

The sanctions campaign has operated alongside the US-Israeli military offensive against Iran, which began on February 28. American and Israeli forces have carried out airstrikes on strategic sites and military installations in the country. The conflict has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions across the region, according to the source report.

The fighting has also resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian figures, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli military operations in Lebanon have further intensified the humanitarian toll.

With hostilities continuing, concerns over possible reprisals against American officials have become a significant security issue for the US administration.

With inputs from ANI