Solutions for the Immediate Rescue of Iran
As part of its new Middle East strategy, Israel has launched a war against Iran using the most advanced American and European weaponry—an action that violates all principles of international law. Over the past five days, this assault has inflicted widespread damage on critical infrastructure and claimed the lives of civilians, nuclear scientists, and senior military commanders. It is inconceivable that Israel could have undertaken such preparations without coordination with the United States. Meanwhile, Iran’s missile and defense capabilities remain limited, and a significant portion of the Iranian population is deeply dissatisfied with the Islamic Republic’s performance.
Reforming the Islamic Republic is undoubtedly necessary, but such reform must be undertaken by the Iranian people themselves, with full respect for the nation’s interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. How can Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu—an individual wanted by the International Court of Justice in The Hague for war crimes—claim to bring democracy and liberation to the Iranian people?! The issue of nuclear energy is merely a pretext; the real targets are Iran’s sovereignty, military strength, and territorial integrity. In light of the harsh reality of global power coercion and their disregard for legal, let alone moral, standards—and considering Iran’s own national capabilities—we present the following minimum proposals to both the government of the Islamic Republic and our esteemed fellow citizens:
- Call for a Temporary Ceasefire: Israel’s war against Iran is a war of aggression. While Iran has an undeniable right to self-defense, proposing an immediate temporary ceasefire is the most rational course of action under the current critical circumstances. Such a ceasefire would halt further destruction of infrastructure and loss of life, while creating space for thoughtful deliberation.
- Direct Negotiations with the United States: Talks with the United States must be resumed—this time directly and transparently. National interests can and should be protected through robust diplomacy grounded in reality, guided by national capabilities rather than delusional idealism or wishful thinking.
- Flexibility on Enrichment: While nuclear energy is Iran’s inalienable right, preserving the nation itself—its people’s lives and the country’s infrastructure—is of even greater importance. The scientific knowledge of Iranian experts cannot be taken away. In pursuit of broader national interests, Iran can temporarily reduce its level of uranium enrichment without compromising its long-term capabilities.
- Reconciliation Between the Islamic Republic and the People: The public must see tangible signs of change in the state’s overarching policies. This can begin with a few urgent and symbolic steps: ending the illegal house arrests, releasing political prisoners, and upholding press freedom under the current Constitution.
- Holding a Referendum to Amend the Constitution: At the earliest suitable opportunity, a referendum should be conducted on the country’s most pressing issues, chief among them, constitutional reform, including the elimination of the principle of “Absolute Guardianship of the Jurist.”
By fulfilling these five essential demands, we hope to lay the foundation for preserving Iran’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty, freedom, and the safeguarding of its fundamental interests.
Masoud Adib, Hassan Yousefi Eshkevari, Abdul Ali Bazargan, Ahmad Abedini, Hassan Fereshtian, and Mohsen Kadivar
A collective statement by several like-minded friends of mine, posted in Persian on June 17th, 2025.
Arabic translation: حلول للإنقاذ الفوري لإيران
French translation: Solutions pour le sauvetage immédiat de l’Iran
