Iran's President Denies Nuclear Weapons Ambitions, Offers to Dilute Uranium

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly denied that Tehran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, saying the country is prepared to dilute its enriched uranium and open its nuclear program to international inspection as part of an effort to ease tensions with Washington.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News' «Special Report» on Thursday, Pezeshkian was asked directly whether Iran wants a nuclear bomb. He rejected the premise outright, citing religious edicts against weapons of mass destruction. «Not at all. Not at all,» he said. «Our martyred, esteemed supreme leader had announced several times that, from a religious decree, it is unholy. It is illegal.»

The denial came amid sustained international scrutiny of Iran's nuclear program, which has enriched uranium to levels well beyond those typically used for civilian power generation. That enrichment activity became President Donald Trump's central rationale for launching Operation Epic Fury in February.

Pezeshkian indicated that Tehran would be open to lowering its enrichment levels and allowing outside verification. «We said we're willing to dilute them. It's not a big deal. We are willing to submit ourselves to verification,» he said.

He also pointed to a failed memorandum of understanding signed by him and Trump in June, which was intended to halt hostilities and establish a framework for a broader U.S.-Iran agreement. The process included a 60-day window toward a final deal.

«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.» He added that the framework had been agreed upon and that Iran had not closed the Strait of Hormuz, which he said remained open without legal justification for closure.

The Iranian president then criticized Washington for the breakdown in diplomacy, saying the United States chose military action over dialogue. «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 said. «They can have free access to see whatever we have, but not to put us under such pressure, under blockades, deny us access.»

Pezeshkian placed broader blame on the United States for the nearly seven-month war in the Middle East. «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.»

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.»

He acknowledged that Iran faces economic difficulties but said the country would endure hardship. «If America thinks that they can keep sanctioning us, we have nothing to do, nor do we consider any type of American elections,» he said. «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. «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, which 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,» he said. «Now, what do militaries do with one another between two countries? It is their own business within their own guidelines.»

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Caroline Mercer

World News Correspondent

Caroline Mercer covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Core Memo. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

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