Pezeshkian Accuses US, Israel of Driving Wedge Between Iran and Gulf States

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States and Israel of actively working to turn Gulf nations against Tehran, even as the war with Israel grinds on. In a sharply worded address, he urged Muslim countries to close ranks under a 'Muslim Brotherhood' umbrella, suggesting external powers were exploiting regional fractures.

The remarks, reported by Iranian state media, come at a time when diplomatic tensions across West Asia have rarely been higher. Pezeshkian did not name specific Gulf states, but his comments signal deep anxiety in Tehran about being boxed in on multiple fronts.

Muslim Brotherhood Pitch

Pezeshkian used the phrase 'Muslim Brotherhood' to call for unity, insisting that divisions among Muslim-majority nations only benefit outside players. He argued that the US and Israel were sowing discord to weaken the region collectively, and that a shared Islamic identity could counter that pressure.

The pitch is hardly new. Iranian leaders have long sought to position themselves as defenders of Muslim causes. But it carries extra weight now, with Iran under sustained military pressure and its economy straining under sanctions.

Critics in Tehran have often dismissed such overtures as rhetorical. Yet Pezeshkian's phrasing suggests he is trying to build a broader coalition, even as Gulf capitals maintain their own security ties with Washington.

Enemies Tried to Turn Iran Into Syria, Says President

In the same address, Pezeshkian claimed that enemies had attempted to turn Iran into another Syria — a reference to the prolonged civil war that fragmented that country. He insisted those efforts had failed, projecting an image of Iranian resilience despite repeated attacks.

He also made a striking assertion: that ordinary Iranians 'didn't feel the war' despite the strikes and counterstrikes. That line appears aimed at domestic morale, though it may sit uneasily with citizens in areas hit by recent exchanges.

Officials have not confirmed the full extent of damage or casualties from the latest rounds of fighting, but the president's tone was defiant. He framed the conflict as one imposed on Iran, not chosen by it.

Dialogue With US, But No Surrender

On the diplomatic front, Pezeshkian backed the idea of dialogue with the United States, but drew a clear red line: no surrender. This dual stance — open to talks, firm on principles — mirrors the delicate balancing act Tehran has attempted since the war escalated.

His comments land as regional mediators have floated ceasefire proposals. None have taken hold publicly, and both sides continue to trade fire. The president's reference to dialogue may be a signal to Washington, but it is unlikely to soften Tehran's military posture.

For Gulf states, the calculation remains complex. They share US security concerns about Iran, yet a full rupture with Tehran could destabilise their own neighbourhoods. Pezeshkian's 'Muslim Brotherhood' appeal is an attempt to exploit that ambivalence.

What to Watch

With no ceasefire in sight, the next few weeks will show whether Pezeshkian's outreach finds any takers among Gulf leaders, or whether it remains a rhetorical gambit. Any shift in Gulf mediation could reshape the war's trajectory.