Iranian President Blames US for Middle East Conflict, Denies Nuclear Ambitions and Offers to Dilute Uranium

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday that Tehran has no interest in developing a nuclear weapon, while insisting that Iran is prepared to open its nuclear program to international inspections. In an interview, he blamed Washington for the nearly seven-month conflict in the Middle East and accused the United States of shutting down diplomatic avenues.

During an exclusive appearance on Fox News’ “Special Report,” host Bret Baier asked Pezeshkian directly whether Iran wants a nuclear bomb. The Iranian president gave an unequivocal response.

“Absolutely not,” Pezeshkian said, pointing to repeated religious rulings from Iran’s late supreme leader declaring weapons of mass destruction forbidden and unlawful.

His comments came as Iran continues to face international scrutiny over its nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment at levels significantly higher than those generally associated with civilian energy production.

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

Pezeshkian suggested Thursday that Iran could consider reducing its enrichment levels and permitting independent verification as part of a broader effort to ease the standoff over its nuclear program.

“We have said we are willing to dilute” materials connected to weapons of mass destruction, Pezeshkian said, adding that Tehran is also prepared to allow international inspections.

The president also referred to a memorandum of understanding he signed with Trump in June. The agreement was intended to stop the fighting and create a pathway toward a wider deal between the United States and Iran, but ultimately failed.

Under the framework proposed by Washington, the two sides would have had 60 days to work toward a final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the wider tensions between the countries.

“We have no problem with that. We reached an agreement with your president,” Pezeshkian said, referring to Trump, who signed the document.

“The agreement was signed, and we remain willing—and still want—to continue on that path,” he added.

Pezeshkian said the broader framework had already been settled and argued that Iran had not closed the Strait of Hormuz. He maintained that the waterway remained open without a legal basis or agreed framework for restricting it.

He accused the United States of initiating the attack and said Iran’s supreme leader, scientists, military commanders and government officials were killed as a result.

The Iranian president went on to fault Washington for the collapse of negotiations, while emphasizing that Tehran is still willing to pursue a diplomatic settlement.

“Instead of engaging in dialogue, America entered the conflict by bombing us first and closing off every possible route,” Pezeshkian said. “We are ready” to negotiate.

He argued that military pressure and blockades are not a legitimate way for a country to operate internationally, saying Iran would permit broad access to verify its activities but would not accept being pushed into submission or denied access.

Pezeshkian also placed responsibility for the wider war squarely on the United States.

“We are not seeking to kill Americans, and our actions demonstrate that,” he said. “America has sought to kill Iranians. What we know is that if we are attacked, we have to 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.”