Irish President Michael Higgins has faced criticism for his letter to Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly appointed president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, where he extended his congratulations and best wishes. Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old cardiac surgeon, won the election with a historically low turnout of only 40 percent, following the tragic death of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash. Higgins expressed regrets over the circumstances of the election and offered condolences for Raisi's death, calling it a "tragic accident".

Higgins praised Iran's potential role in promoting peace in the Middle East and emphasized the importance of stability and cooperation in the region. However, his letter has sparked outrage among pro-Western democrats, who compared his words to controversial historical events, such as Douglas Hyde's condolences to Germany after Adolf Hitler's death.

Critics, including democracy advocate Mark Dubowitz and journalist Emily Schrader, have condemned Higgins' letter as a surrender to the oppressive Iranian regime. Anti-regime activists have also raised concerns about the legitimacy of the recent presidential election, with claims of rigging and widespread boycotts.

Additionally, Higgins' correspondence comes amidst tension in the European Parliament, where members have expressed anger over the European Union's decision to send a deputy to Pezeshkian's inauguration. Polish MEP Adam Bielan criticized the move, stating that EU representation would legitimize the Iranian regime, which he accused of backing terrorist activities and undermining global security.

The backlash against Higgins' letter and the EU's diplomatic engagement with Iran reflects a broader debate on the ethics of interacting with regimes accused of human rights violations and destabilizing actions. President Higgins has been invited to provide a comment on the matter.