Iranian President Blames US, Denies Nuclear Aims, Offers Dilution

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian firmly denied Thursday that Tehran is seeking a nuclear weapon, while saying Iran is prepared to open its nuclear program to international inspections. He blamed Washington for the nearly seven-month conflict in the Middle East and accused the United States of obstructing diplomatic efforts.

During an exclusive interview on Fox News’ “Special Report,” host Bret Baier asked Pezeshkian directly, “Do you want a nuclear bomb or not?” The Iranian president rejected the suggestion outright.

“Not at all. Not at all. Our martyred, esteemed supreme leader had announced several times that, from a religious decree, it is unholy. It is illegal,” he said, referring to religious rulings against weapons of mass destruction.

Pezeshkian’s denial came as Iran faces years of international scrutiny over its nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment to levels far above those generally associated with civilian nuclear power.

Those concerns formed the central justification cited by President Donald Trump for launching Operation Epic Fury in February.

Pezeshkian said Thursday that Tehran could consider reducing its enrichment levels and permitting independent verification as part of an effort to ease tensions surrounding its nuclear program.

“So, that weapon’s mass destruction. We said we’re willing to dilute them. It’s not a big deal. We are willing to submit ourselves to verification,” he said.

The Iranian president also cited a failed memorandum of understanding, or MOU, that he and Trump signed in June. The agreement was intended to stop the fighting and create a framework for a broader deal between Washington and Tehran.

Under the U.S. plan, the process would have moved toward ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions through negotiations over a 60-day period and ultimately produced a final agreement.

“We have no problems. We did reach an agreement with your president,” Pezeshkian said of Trump, who signed the deal.

“That agreement was signed, and, based on that, we are willing and still wish to move forward.

“And the framework was agreed upon. We had not closed the Strait of Hormuz; it was open without any legal justification or framework,” he said.

“They attacked us. They assassinated and martyred our esteemed supreme leader, our scientists, our military commanders and government.”

Pezeshkian accused Washington of derailing diplomacy through its subsequent actions, but said Tehran remains willing to negotiate an agreement.

“The problem is that America, instead of conducting dialog, they descend into the arena by bombing us first, by blocking every pathway. We are ready,” he said.

READ MORE: Maryland Couple Dies in Bed in Hail of Bullets; 4 Children Hid for Hours Before Calling Authorities – NewsFinale

“This is not the way to conduct yourself on the world stage. They can have free access to see whatever we have, but not to put us under such pressure, under blockades, deny us access.”

Pezeshkian also held Washington responsible for the broader conflict.

“We do not seek to kill Americans, as shown by actions, demonstrable actions. America has sought to kill Iranians,” Pezeshkian said. “What we know is that if we’re attacked, we must defend ourselves.”

Addressing U.S. military strikes — including Operation Outcast — and increasing secondary sanctions, Pezeshkian said Iran would continue resisting Washington’s campaign.

“This is something that has been the doing of the United States,” he said. “We will keep resisting. We will find ways, and the life of our country will continue. We will remain.

“Yes, we do have economic issues, certainly. But in order to remain, we will go through any hardship and endure.

“If America thinks that they can keep sanctioning us, we have nothing to do, nor do we consider any type of American elections. If the current American government, within international legal frameworks, wishes to reach an agreement, fine. If not, before the elections or after the elections, what difference does it make for us?”

Pezeshkian repeated that Iran does not want the war to continue, while blaming Israel for helping provoke the conflict and putting responsibility on Washington to bring it to an end.

“We will stand resolutely to defend ourselves. We never sought war. We do not seek war,” he said.

“I deeply believe that humans should not cause the death of another human. But with the instigations conducted by Israel, they have imposed this war on us.

“But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not.”

The Iranian president also addressed reports that Iranian forces used Chinese satellite imagery to carry out a deadly strike on a U.S. base in Jordan. The attack resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members.

When questioned about the reports, Pezeshkian denied direct knowledge.

“I’m specifically unaware of these purported images that you talk about,” Pezeshkian said. 

“Now, what do militaries do with one another between two countries? It is their own business within their own guidelines.”