Iranian president blames US for Middle East conflict while denying nuclear ambitions, offers to dilute uranium

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian flatly denied Thursday that Tehran wants a nuclear bomb while claiming Iran is willing to submit its nuclear program for international inspection, blaming Washington for the nearly seven-month war in the Middle East and accusing it of blocking diplomacy.

Asked point-blank during an exclusive interview on Fox News’ "Special Report," "Do you want a nuclear bomb or not?" Pezeshkian firmly rejected the premise.

"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 told Bret Baier, referencing religious edicts issued against weapons of mass destruction.

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The Iranian leader's public denial came amid long-term international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program and its enrichment of uranium to levels well beyond those typically used for civilian nuclear power.

This became President Donald Trump's central rationale for launching Operation Epic Fury in February.

On Thursday, however, Pezeshkian indicated Tehran would be open to lowering its enrichment levels and allowing outside verification as part of an effort to ease 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 said.

Pezeshkian also pointed to the failed memorandum of understanding, or MOU, signed by him and President Donald Trump in June intended to halt hostilities and establish a framework for a broader U.S.-Iran agreement.

The process was intended by Washington to lead to an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and included a 60-day process toward that final agreement.

"We have no problems. We did reach an agreement with your president," Pezeshkian said of Trump, who signed the agreement.

"That agreement was signed, and, based on that, we are willing and still wish to move forward.

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"And the framework was agreed upon. We had not closed the Strait of Hormuz; it was open without any legal justification or framework," he said.

"They attacked us. They assassinated and martyred our esteemed supreme leader, our scientists, our military commanders and government."

Pezeshkian then criticized Washington for the subsequent breakdown in diplomacy but insisted Tehran remains prepared to reach an agreement.

"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.

"This is not the way to conduct yourself on the world stage. They can have free access to see whatever we have, but not to put us under such pressure, under blockades, deny us access."

Pezeshkian also placed broader blame on Washington for the war.

"We do not seek to kill Americans, as shown by actions, demonstrable actions. America has sought to kill Iranians," Pezeshkian said. "What we know is that if we’re attacked, we must defend ourselves."

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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.

"Yes, we do have economic issues, certainly. But in order to remain, we will go through any hardship and endure.

"If America thinks that they can keep sanctioning us, we have nothing to do, nor do we consider any type of American elections. 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.

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"We will stand resolutely to defend ourselves. We never sought war. We do not seek war," he said.

"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."

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. The attack 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," Pezeshkian said. 

"Now, what do militaries do with one another between two countries? It is their own business within their own guidelines."