Prominent figures, activists say no to war on Iran
A group of 353 Iranian researchers, political and civil society activists, and public figures from across a broad spectrum of political views have signed and released a statement titled “No to War and Aggression Against Iran,” urging citizens to raise their voices against any military action targeting the country.
In the statement, the signatories described violence and war as “the greatest evils in politics,” warning that armed conflict would bring devastating consequences for Iran and its people.
“War kills, destroys, plunges families into grief, wipes out infrastructure, spreads poverty, and sacrifices the innocent,” the statement said. It added that conflict fuels further violence, deepens existing crises, weakens society’s ability to address its challenges, and dims prospects for development, democracy, justice, and prosperity in Iran.
The group accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and war hawks in Washington of seeking, through threats, sanctions, and warmongering, to destabilize and weaken Iran. Referring to the heavy loss of life in January as a result of foreign-backed element’s involvement in peaceful protests, the statement said that no tragedy, regardless of its cause, justifies war, further suffering for compatriots, or destruction inflicted on the country.
“We, a group of concerned Iranians, despite the full diversity of our political positions, unequivocally and without hesitation oppose any aggression against Iran,” the signatories declared. They argued that solutions—however difficult—must be pursued inside the country through constructive, development-oriented and reform-driven internal change.
The statement emphasized the need to “speak out loudly and clearly” against what it called the destructive path of war, adding that in the face of any aggression, they would stand firmly in defense of Iran. The group also called on fellow citizens, as well as individuals with influence and public standing, to amplify their opposition to war and external aggression.
Among the signatories are prominent political, academic and civil society figures, including former vice president Eshaq Jahangiri, former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, senior reformist figure Behzad Nabavi, intellectual Abdolkarim Soroush, former communications minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, academic Mohammad Fazeli, and sociologist Maqsoud Ferasatkhah, reflecting the wide range of political and intellectual currents represented in the initiative.
The statement comes as the United States has expanded its military presence in the region while engaging in negotiations with Iran, and has repeatedly warned that it could resort to military action if diplomacy fails.
Iranian officials have cautioned against any act of aggression, vowing a decisive response and warning that any conflict would likely spill over and destabilize the wider region.