Iran Ready to Submit Nuclear Program to Verification, President Claims

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Thursday that Tehran has no desire for a nuclear bomb and is prepared to submit its nuclear program to international inspection. He also asserted that the United States is responsible for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and has hindered diplomatic efforts.

During an exclusive interview with Fox News, Pezeshkian directly addressed questions about Iran's nuclear ambitions, firmly rejecting the notion that the country seeks a nuclear weapon. He referenced religious edicts from Iran's supreme leader that prohibit weapons of mass destruction.

"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," Pezeshkian said, referring to fatwas against nuclear weapons.

Pezeshkian indicated that Iran would be open to reducing its uranium enrichment levels and allowing external verification as a means to de-escalate nuclear tensions. "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 stated.

He also referenced a previous memorandum of understanding signed with then-President Donald Trump, intended to halt hostilities and establish a framework for a broader U.S.-Iran agreement. Pezeshkian stated that Iran remains willing to move forward with such agreements.

"We have no problems. We did reach an agreement with your president," Pezeshkian said. "That agreement was signed, and, based on that, we are willing and still wish to move forward."

Pezeshkian criticized the United States for its approach to diplomacy, stating, "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 added that the U.S. has sought to harm Iranians, while Iran defends itself when attacked.

Regarding U.S. military actions and sanctions, Pezeshkian said Iran would continue to resist. "We will keep resisting. We will find ways, and the life of our country will continue. We will remain."

He expressed that Iran does not wish for the war to continue and placed blame on Israel for provoking the conflict, emphasizing that it is up to the United States to decide whether to end it. "It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not," he said.

Pezeshkian also addressed reports suggesting Iranian forces used Chinese satellite imagery to conduct a strike on a U.S. base in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American service members, denying specific knowledge of such imagery. "I’m specifically unaware of these purported images that you talk about," he said. "Now, what do militaries do with one another between two countries? It is their own business within their own guidelines."