Confirming my observation here. “President says his letter to President Bush was invitation to Islam,” from the Islamic Republic News Agency, with thanks to Store Manager:
Jakarta, May 11, IRNA — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Thursday that his letter to President George W. Bush did not concern the nuclear dossier, but rather was an invitation to Islam and the prophets culture.
He made the above remarks in reply to a reporter while attending press conference on his letter to President Bush in Jakarta in the afternoon of the third day of his stay in Jakarta.
Stressing that the letter was beyond the nuclear issue, the chief executive said that in principle, the country’s nuclear case is not so significant to make him write a letter about it.
“We act according to laws and our activities are quite clear. We are rather intent on solving more fundamental global matters.
“The letter was an invitation to monotheism and justice, which are common to all divine prophets. If the call is responded positively, there will be no more problems to be solved,” added the president.
The president said that the letter actually contained a clear message of invitation to human beliefs, adding that its response will determine the future….
Both bolded statements suggest that the letter was indeed the call to Islam that must precede any attack, in accord with Muhammad’s words (in Sahih Muslim 4294) about inviting the unbelievers to accept Islam or dhimmitude and fighting him only if he refuses both. We shall see.