Iran jabs at Trump ‘Cyrus’ comparison
‘Defender of Gaza massacre, not defender of human rights’
Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, took a swipe at those who liken US president Donald Trump to Cyrus the Great during a ceremony in Moscow on October 14, 2025, marking the 2,550th anniversary of the world’s first human rights charter.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Russian State University of Cinematography (VGIK), Jalali said the Persian charter, issued by Cyrus in the 6th century BC, enshrined values of “freedom, tolerance and human dignity” long before the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, IRNA reported.
He said it was “absurd” to associate such principles with anyone backing mass civilian deaths, referring to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“One cannot call someone who supports the killing of tens of thousands in a small land like Gaza a defender of human rights or liken him to Cyrus the Great,” Jalali said.
The envoy urged a “return to civilizational traditions” to confront modern challenges such as extremism and inequality, adding that Eastern cultures had long championed coexistence among faiths. He cited Iran’s and Russia’s examples of interfaith harmony.
Among the speakers was Davlatshoh Gulmahmadzoda, Tajikistan’s ambassador to Moscow, who called the Cyrus Charter “a symbol of respect for humanity and justice.”
He said Cyrus had united peoples across Asia, Africa and Europe, noting that ‘Herodotus’ recorded more than 70 nations under his rule.
The ceremony featured Persian poetry readings, traditional music, and the opening of a joint Iran–Tajikistan cultural exhibition, displaying handicrafts, rare books and images of Iran’s ancient monuments, including scenes from the ‘Shahnameh’.
Earlier in the day, Jalali met Malyshev Vladimir Sergeevich, VGIK’s president, to discuss expanding Iran–Russia film cooperation. Malyshev, who also heads the BRICS Association of Film Universities, welcomed Iran’s growing role in Russian film festivals and pledged stronger academic ties.