"A Strong and Resilient People... Politicians in Panic," President's Son Reveals Wartime Diary

"We Need to Consider a Variety of Scenarios"

The "War Diary" kept by Yousef Pezeshkian, the eldest son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, has been released, shedding light on the internal situation of Iran's leadership during the ongoing war.

"A Strong and Resilient People"

Yousef Pezeshkian, son of Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran. Instagram

According to the New York Times (NYT) on March 20 (local time), Yousef has been sharing his personal and political reflections daily on Telegram during the war. He has offered glimpses into the lives and internal deliberations of Iran's political leadership while the war is ongoing. He also conveyed the fear that spread within Iran's leadership after Israeli airstrikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ali Larijani, Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council.

On the sixth day of the war, in early March, Yousef wrote that "some politicians seem to be in a state of panic." He added, "The people are much stronger and more resilient than experts or political leaders. We must constantly remind ourselves that true defeat only comes when we begin to feel defeated."

He also recalled attending a government officials' meeting during the first week of the war, where opinions were sharply divided over war strategy. He said, "Our greatest difference of opinion was over 'how long should we keep fighting.' Forever? Until Israel is destroyed and the United States withdraws? Until Iran is completely collapsed and we surrender? We need to consider various scenarios," he stated.

"Longing for a Return to Normal Life"

Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran. Photo by AP Yonhap News

He also expressed concern for his family. Yousef wrote that he hopes the remaining two years of his father's term will pass quickly so that "all of us can return to normal life." He shared that he has been receiving a constant stream of messages about the war not only from friends and acquaintances but also from strangers. Some messages urged, "Surrender and return power to the people," but he dismissed these as "ignorant and delusional remarks."

However, he also voiced concern that retaliatory attacks by Iran against neighboring Arab countries, in response to the United States and Israel, could have adverse consequences. "It is saddening that we feel compelled to attack U.S. military bases located in allied countries to protect ourselves," he wrote, adding, "I do not know whether they will understand our situation." Yousef has been posting on Telegram for about a year, and since the outbreak of war, he is known to have updated his account with related content nearly every day.

Yousef did not respond to the NYT's request for comment. However, former and current Iranian officials familiar with Yousef confirmed that the posts are indeed written by him and that he personally authors the content and manages the account.

Meanwhile, as the war, triggered by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, drags on, the human toll continues to rise. According to the Washington Post (WP), Iran's Ministry of Health announced that about 1,500 people, including 208 children, have died since the war began.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.