To the freedom seekers, justice advocates, and peace proponents of Iran and the world,

In my capacity as a Professor of Philosophy and as delegated by the board of directors of the “Iranian Scientific Society for Peace Studies,” I had the honor of serving as the Scientific Secretary for the Ninth Annual Conference of this society. The conference, titled “Ontological, Epistemological, and Methodological Foundations of the Iranian School of Peace,” was scheduled to convene in early March 2025 (Esfand 1404) at the University of Tehran, with the active participation of scholars and practitioners in the field of peace activism, both from within Iran and internationally.

Regrettably, the Israeli government, under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, and the United States government, under the leadership of Donald Trump, in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and other pertinent laws and regulations, have imposed a deeply painful war upon my homeland, Iran, through military invasion and aggression. This act has, until further notice, eliminated the essential conditions necessary for holding this significant conference - both for elucidating the millennia-old philosophical underpinnings of Iranian pacifism and as a symbol of the Iranian society’s commitment to peace - by causing extensive human, social, economic, cultural, and environmental damage.

As a patriotic Iranian, committed to and believing in the national interests of my country in all dimensions, I vehemently condemn this aggression and all its heinous criminal manifestations - from the slaughter of children and civilians, the assassination of Iranian political and military officials, to the devastation of educational, health, cultural, and industrial centers, as well as the environment of this country and the region. In my role as the Scientific Secretary of the aforementioned conference, and yearning for its earliest possible convening under appropriate peaceful conditions, I find it necessary in this writing to set aside, momentarily, my patriotic sentiments and support for the valiant combatants of the national defense, as well as my rational and emotional judgment and indignation towards the aggressors upon my beloved homeland. Instead, in my capacity as an impartial professor and Scientific Secretary of this important conference, I call upon all awakened consciences across the globe. At this juncture, when Iran and the world are once again confronted with a wave of violence, instability, and conflict, it is imperative to recognize and earnestly uphold our responsibilities and those of political, legal, scientific, and cultural institutions.

It is fitting for all to acknowledge that while scholars in peace studies and political philosophy strive to strengthen the theoretical foundations of coexistence and dialogue, the harsh realities of the international arena demonstrate that the pursuit of peace is not merely a theoretical endeavor, but a practical necessity for safeguarding human lives, preserving cultural and environmental heritage, and moving towards a more luminous future for all nations.

In such circumstances, emphasizing the exalted status of peace and re-examining the fundamental principles of the ethics of war within civilizational and philosophical traditions gains paramount importance. It is essential, based on the shared teachings of diverse cultures, historical experiences, and the achievements of moral and political philosophy, to underscore several points:

1. It is evident that, according to the explicit text of the United Nations Charter, no country possesses the right to attack or invade another. From an impartial, transnational perspective encompassing all countries, peoples, and cultures, it must be declared that any military action against any nation, undertaken without valid authorization derived from international law, human rights, and universal ethics, is to be considered “aggression” and is devoid of any legal or ethical justification. The fundamental principles of the international order - from the prohibition of the use of force to respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations - explicitly negate such illegal acts of aggression. Disregard for these standards not only undermines global peace and stability but also devastates the foundations of human dignity and trust among peoples.

2. The most severe burden of any war falls upon ordinary people and civilians. Based on the philosophy of ethics and political philosophy, the primary duty of any belligerent power is to uphold the protection of individuals who neither bear arms nor play a direct role in military decision-making.

3. It is imperative that children, women, the elderly, and vulnerable minorities remain immune from all physical, psychological, and biological harm. Any aggression against the most defenseless members of society is not merely a violation of laws but a collapse of human moral conscience.

4. Civilian infrastructures and vital societal spaces - from medical and educational centers to ecological and economic networks, and all types of industrial and agricultural production facilities - must be segregated from the calculations of violence in offense or defense. The destruction of these domains does not signify the end of war, but rather the onset of a prolonged period of suffering, displacement, and social, economic, health, and educational disarray for a segment of humanity. All human beings, particularly war-waging powers, bear a direct or indirect responsibility for this.

5. The cultural heritage of nations belongs to all of humanity throughout history. Historical artifacts, ancient cities, and civilizational markers constitute the collective memory of humankind. Damage to them amounts to the obliteration of a part of human history and achievements, depriving future generations of the opportunity to understand themselves and their fellow human beings.

6. Security in today’s world is a singular and interconnected phenomenon. Instability in one part of the world has consequences extending far beyond geographical borders. Only approaches based on dialogue, justice, and regional and global cooperation can bring about sustainable peace.

7. Iran, along with many lands in the region, carries ancient cultural and civilizational heritages intertwined with peace, ethics, wisdom, and peaceful coexistence. Iran is not merely the ancient homeland of a nation and numerous diverse peoples with varied languages, religions, cultures, and ways of life, but an integral part of the global civilizational and cultural inheritance. Its preservation necessitates sensitivity and transnational solidarity from all nations.

To the freedom seekers, justice advocates, and peace proponents of Iran and the world,

I humbly call upon all human beings and political, legal, scientific, cultural, and social institutions worldwide to stand against the expansion of violence and the destruction of Iran. This endeavor should be undertaken through the veneration of ethical principles, the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Charter, the promotion of dialogue, and the defense of human dignity. Today, more than ever, we require a collective voice - a voice capable of restraining the logic of war and facilitating the creation of the necessary and sufficient conditions for achieving a just and sustainable peace. The future of humanity hinges upon our capacity to safeguard life, culture, ethics, spirituality, and the potential for peaceful and constructive coexistence. Peace is not merely the absence of war; rather, peace is the condition under which every individual can, without fear, live with hope, uphold their dignity, cultivate their talents, and co-create their world in collaboration with others.

Musa Akrami,

Professor of Philosophy and Scientific Secretary of the Ninth Annual Conference of the “Iranian Scientific Society for Peace Studies” (Philosophical Foundations of the Iranian School of Peace)

Friday, April 2, 2026 (13 Farvardin 1405), a day when all Iranians - regardless of gender, ethnicity, culture, worldview, language, or profession - should, in the culmination of the world’s greatest celebrations, the ancient Persian Nowruz festivals, turn to nature and smile towards a green future. Instead, they face the grim possibility of being caught in the blood and soil by the bombs, missiles, and drones of aggressors, or witnessing the death of others and the devastation of homes, hospitals, educational institutions (from elementary schools to universities), mosques, churches, factories, farms, roads, and bridges.