Pezeshkian discusses Iran’s war and nuclear policy in Fox News interview
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran did not want to continue the war and that the United States must decide whether to end it. He also said Iran was open to an agreement under international law, denied seeking a nuclear weapon and offered to dilute or give up uranium enriched to 60 percent.
Key points
- Pezeshkian presented Iran as willing to negotiate an end to the conflict, while placing the decision to end the war on the United States.
Evidence · 4 source statements
“But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not,”
- He said Iran would comply with international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and was willing to change its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent.
Evidence · 6 source statements
Yes.
Within the framework of the international law, based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we will comply with everything required of us.
We said we’re willing to dilute them.
- Pezeshkian denied that Iran wanted nuclear weapons. He also warned that Iran would respond strongly if the other side continued fighting.
Evidence · 4 source statements
Not at all.
We never initiated a war, but if they [US] wish to keep fighting with us, we will respond strongly and resolutely.
Who's involved
Masoud Pezeshkian
Iran’s president and the interviewee, speaking for his government on the war and nuclear negotiations.
Iran does not want to continue the war; the United States must decide whether to end it. Pezeshkian said Iran would negotiate within international law, comply with the NPT and dilute or give up highly enriched uranium, while denying that Iran seeks a nuclear weapon. He also warned of a strong response if fighting continued.
What they said · 10 source statements
Within the framework of the international law, based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we will comply with everything required of us.
Not at all.
We want to comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaty,
We never initiated a war, but if they [US] wish to keep fighting with us, we will respond strongly and resolutely.
Iranian government
Its nuclear policy and the terms of a possible agreement with the United States were discussed in the interview.
Iran says the NPT gives it the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons.
What they said · 4 source statements
denies seeking them.
Tehran maintains that, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
denies seeking them.
Tehran says it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as a party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Donald Trump
The reports identify weakening Iran’s nuclear capabilities as one of his stated objectives for the war.
Trump has cited weakening Iran’s nuclear capabilities as a war objective.
What they said · 2 source statements
Mr. Trump has cited the weakening of Iran’s nuclear capabilities as one of the objectives of the war.
Trump has cited weakening Iran's nuclear capabilities as one of his war objectives.
What was reported
- In the Fox News interview, Pezeshkian said Iran did not want to continue the war and that the United States must decide whether to end it.
Reported independently by 3: Fox News, NDTV, The Hindu
Evidence · 4 source statements
“But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not,”
"But we do not wish to continue. It's America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not,"
- Pezeshkian said Iran sought an agreement with the United States within the bounds of international law.
One source: Fox News
Evidence · 3 source statements
- He said Iran was willing to dilute its enriched uranium and indicated it could give up uranium enriched to 60 percent as part of a deal.
One source: Fox News
Evidence · 4 source statements
Yes.
We said we’re willing to dilute them.
- Pezeshkian denied that Iran wanted a nuclear bomb and said possessing weapons of mass destruction was prohibited from a religious standpoint.
One source: Fox News
Evidence · 3 source statements
Not at all.
Absolutely no.
From the religious standpoint, it is prohibited to have a weapon of mass destruction,
- Pezeshkian said Iran had not started the war, blamed Israel for instigating it and warned that Iran would respond strongly if fighting continued.
One source: Fox News
Evidence · 4 source statements
We never initiated a war, but if they [US] wish to keep fighting with us, we will respond strongly and resolutely.
- He said Iran would comply with requirements under international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
One source: Fox News
Evidence · 2 source statements
Within the framework of the international law, based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we will comply with everything required of us.
We want to comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaty,
- Pezeshkian said Iran was ready to submit its nuclear program to international inspection.
One source: US media (unnamed)
Evidence · 1 source statement
- He said Iran was willing to move forward with the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
One source: Fox News
Evidence · 1 source statement
“willing” to move forward with the Islamabad MoU
How coverage differed
Russian state outlets — RIA Novosti and TASS focused on a possible US deal, highly enriched uranium, NPT compliance and the role of Iran’s supreme leader. These reports largely relayed Fox News rather than providing independent accounts.
Reports emphasizing the war — These reports foregrounded Pezeshkian’s claim that the United States must choose whether to end the war. Mehr highlighted his warning of a strong response if fighting continued.
Fox News — Fox News’ own report brought together Pezeshkian’s denial of nuclear ambitions, his offer to dilute uranium and his criticism of the United States over the conflict.
Still unclear
- No agreement with the United States was announced.
- No timetable for ending the war was announced.
- The interview did not establish whether the United States or Israel accepted Pezeshkian’s proposals.
Not heard from
- United States government — The interview included Pezeshkian’s offer and his demand that the United States decide whether to end the war, but no response from the US government.
- Israeli government — Pezeshkian blamed Israel for instigating the war, but no Israeli government response appears.