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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday that Tehran still regards the June agreement with the U.S. as valid and remains ready to move ahead, while accusing Washington of abandoning diplomacy in favor of military action.
"We have no problems. We did reach an agreement with your president," Pezeshkian told Fox News, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump. "That agreement was signed, and, based on that, we are willing and still wish to move forward."
The memorandum of understanding was meant to halt hostilities and provide a path toward a broader U.S.-Iran agreement, with a 60-day process aimed at reaching a final deal.
Pezeshkian accused Washington of shutting down diplomatic channels and opting for military action instead. "The problem is that America, instead of conducting dialogue, descends into the arena by bombing us first, by blocking every pathway. We are ready," he said.
He maintained that Tehran remains willing to reach an agreement and allow access for verification, but rejected what he described as pressure and blockades. "They can have free access to see whatever we have, but not to put us under such pressure, under blockades, deny us access," he added.
Pezeshkian also played down the significance of the U.S. election timetable, arguing that Tehran would engage with Washington if it sought an agreement within international legal frameworks. "We do not seek to kill Americans, as shown by actions, demonstrable actions. America has sought to kill Iranians," he said. "What we know is that if we’re attacked, we must defend ourselves."
Referring to U.S. military strikes, including Operation Outcast, and growing economic strain from a fresh wave of sanctions, he maintained that Iran would withstand the pressure.
"We will keep resisting. We will find ways, and the life of our country will continue. We will remain," Pezeshkian said. "Yes, we do have economic issues, certainly. But in order to remain, we will go through any hardship and endure."
Pezeshkian rejected claims that Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon, pointing to religious rulings 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," he explained.
Iran’s nuclear program has faced long-running international scrutiny, including over uranium enrichment at levels well beyond those typically used for civilian nuclear power. The issue became a central rationale for Trump’s launch of Operation Epic Fury in February.
Pezeshkian indicated that Tehran is prepared to lower its enrichment levels and accept outside checks. "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 explained.
The Iranian president also maintained that Tehran did not seek the war and does not want it to continue, while blaming Israel for helping provoke the conflict.
"We will stand resolutely to defend ourselves. We never sought war. We do not seek war," he insisted.
"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."
He also denied direct knowledge of reports that Iranian forces used Chinese satellite imagery in a strike on a U.S. base in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members.
"I’m specifically unaware of these purported images that you talk about," he said.
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