Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday offered new concessions on Iran’s nuclear program and reiterated his government’s willingness to negotiate with the United States before the November midterm elections. The remarks came during a series of high-profile interviews and meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Iranian president proposes nuclear concessions and renewed talks
Pezeshkian told Fox News that Iran is prepared to dilute its enriched uranium stockpiles and allow international verification as part of efforts to ease tensions. He stated, “We are willing to dilute them. It’s not a big deal. We are willing to submit ourselves to verification.” The Iranian leader also reiterated his country’s long-standing denial of nuclear weapons ambitions, citing religious edicts against weapons of mass destruction.
In a separate interview with NBC News, Pezeshkian emphasized the urgency of reviving a June memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Iran and the U.S., which aimed to establish a temporary ceasefire and framework for broader negotiations. He said, “We wish Americans to return to the MOU before the midterms.” The MOU collapsed amid mutual recriminations, with both sides blaming the other for its failure.
Trump warns of potential escalation while acknowledging ongoing talks
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the conflict during a speech at the UN, suggesting that Iran may delay a deal until after the midterm elections. He stated, “I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.” Trump also defended the military campaign against Iran, saying he was considering whether to “annihilate” the country or make a deal.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly responded to Pezeshkian’s remarks by reiterating long-standing U.S. positions. She stated, “The Iranian regime has murdered thousands of its own people, killed Americans overseas, executed acts of terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz, and launched indiscriminate attacks against its neighbors in the region.” Kelly added that the U.S. remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Iran blames U.S. and Israel for prolonged conflict
During his UN address, Pezeshkian accused the U.S. and Israel of instigating the war, stating, “With the instigations conducted by Israel, they have imposed this war on us.” He insisted that Iran does not wish to continue the conflict but placed responsibility for ending it squarely on Washington. “It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not,” he said.
Pezeshkian also dismissed claims that Iran’s actions are influenced by U.S. election timelines, arguing that Tehran is prepared to endure economic hardship to maintain its position. He told Fox News, “We will keep resisting. We will find ways, and the life of our country will continue.”
Diplomatic efforts continue amid stalled breakthroughs
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The discussions did not yield an immediate breakthrough, according to reports. Pezeshkian framed the talks as part of Iran’s broader willingness to engage in diplomacy “within international legal frameworks.”
The latest developments follow months of escalating tensions, including Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. military campaign launched in February in response to Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities. The conflict has resulted in significant economic strain for Iran, with reports indicating a 10% contraction in the economy, skyrocketing inflation, and a decline in oil exports from 2 million barrels per day to approximately 250,000 barrels. Despite these pressures, Pezeshkian maintained that Iran would continue to resist U.S. pressure.