Pope Leo supports freedom of the press and Pezeshkian denies Iran's attempt to assassinate Trump

Pope Leo of the Vatican, today (Friday), reiterated his support for freedom of the press, in his response to a question about the decision of US President Donald Trump to prevent CNN and many other media outlets from entering the White House, according to Reuters news agency.

When the Pope greeted journalists on a two-hour flight from Rome to Paris, he was asked about the dispute between the White House and three media outlets.

Pope Leo, an American who had previously angered Trump after criticizing the Iran war, did not mention Trump by name in his response, but described the media coverage as “very important.”

He told reporters: “I am very happy that everyone is welcome here. I believe that media coverage from all parties and for everyone is extremely important.”

Yesterday (Thursday), the White House announced that it had re-allowed journalists from CNN, MS Now, and Politico to cover after a federal judge ruled that their ban was likely unconstitutional.

In an unusual scene, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a session with a group of journalists in a New York hotel, at a time when he was visiting the city to participate in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, while his country was waging a war with the United States. During the meeting, Pezeshkian discussed a number of thorny issues, from the war and the nuclear program to the internal situation in Iran, before denying that his country was seeking to assassinate US President Donald Trump, despite previous American accusations of the Iranian regime of planning to target him.

The Iranian President's media appearances inside Iran are subject to strict and strict control, but Pezeshkian sat on Thursday to answer journalists' questions in New York, where he is visiting the city under the protection of the US Secret Service, according to CNN.

The session came one day after Pezeshkian delivered a speech before the United Nations General Assembly, during which he repeated a number of well-known Iranian positions regarding the war, the nuclear program, and internal opposition in Iran. He also spoke about the impact of sanctions on the Iranian people, before confirming that Iran would never try to kill Trump, despite the American president and the American authorities accusing the Iranian regime of planning to assassinate him.

The meeting was held at the Millennium Hilton Hotel, located very close to the United Nations headquarters, where Pezeshkian had announced on Wednesday that his country “will not submit” in light of the continuing war with the United States.

Pezeshkian talks about Khamenei

During the press briefing, Pezeshkian also spoke about recent meetings he held with Iranian Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since the outbreak of the war, stressing that the guide enjoys, according to his description, “extremely good health.”

Increased speculation has surrounded Khamenei's health in recent months, after reports emerged that he was seriously injured in the American-Israeli attack that killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, at the beginning of the conflict in February.

Speaking about Khamenei’s health condition, Pazashkian said: “I did not notice any major health or physical problems,” adding that the last direct meeting between them took place about a month ago, and lasted about seven hours.

Bazashkian stated that the meeting took place while the two men were sitting on cushions placed on the floor, and that they were getting up to walk and walk around during the meeting.

US intelligence estimates, according to multiple sources familiar with intelligence information, indicate that Khamenei, despite his injuries, is still playing a pivotal role in drawing up the war strategy in cooperation with senior Iranian officials.

Meeting in Manhattan

The presence of the Iranian delegation in the United States, which is still at war with Iran, is practically unprecedented. However, the scene took on a more exceptional character on Thursday, when the Iranian President and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held a briefing for journalists, including CNN correspondents, inside a hall in a hotel in midtown Manhattan.

A US State Department official said earlier this week that the visiting Iranian delegation “is allowed to enter the United States exclusively for the purpose of representing their country before the United Nations,” and that its members must “limit their activities to missions related to the United Nations only.”

The official added that members of the Iranian delegation must “request prior approval” from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if they wish to travel outside the United Nations headquarters, John F. Kennedy International Airport, or the facilities of the Iranian mission to the United Nations.

During the press briefing, Pezeshkian denied the accusations that Iran was seeking to kill the US President, saying that “the position of (the Iranian government) has never been, whether publicly or secretly, to seek to assassinate Donald Trump or members of his family.”

American accusations and warnings about Trump

Last month, the US Secret Service announced that it was aware of a video clip broadcast by the Iranian State Broadcasting Corporation, which appeared to contain a threat to the life of Barron Trump, the youngest son of the US President.

This came after Israel shared intelligence information with the United States indicating that Iran had developed a plan to assassinate Donald Trump. In late 2024, the US Department of Justice announced federal charges related to what it described as a foiled Iranian plot to kill Trump before the presidential election.

On the other hand, the extremist Iranian media has repeatedly published content that includes threats to the life of Trump and his family members. During the funeral ceremony of the late Khamenei in July, regime loyalists were seen carrying banners with the phrase “Kill Trump” written on them.

Trump has also spoken publicly about Iranian threats to his life, saying in July: “I'm on any (targeting) list... So far, I think I've been a little bit lucky, but maybe that won't last long. “They are evil and sick people.”

The White House responds

In response to Pezeshkian’s statements, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said: “The Iranian regime has killed thousands of its own people, killed Americans abroad, carried out terrorist acts in the Strait of Hormuz, and launched indiscriminate attacks against its neighbors in the region.”

She continued: “The President is working courageously to ensure that such an evil country never possesses a nuclear weapon, which will make the entire world safer and more stable.”