Tehran (The COW News Digital)Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran does not want the war with the United States to continue and that Washington must decide whether it wants to bring the conflict to an end.
Pezeshkian made the remarks during an interview with Fox News that was broadcast on Thursday, September 24. He said Iran was prepared to pursue a diplomatic settlement with the United States if disagreements could be resolved through negotiations.
“We do not wish to continue,” Pezeshkian said, adding that it was for the United States to choose whether the conflict should end. He argued that when disputes can be addressed through dialogue, there should be no need for the two sides to continue killing one another.
The Iranian president said Tehran had never sought war and maintained that the conflict had been imposed on Iran following what he described as Israeli provocations and military actions. His comments came as diplomatic efforts continue alongside the ongoing military confrontation between Iran and the United States.
Pezeshkian also indicated that Iran remains willing to reach an agreement with US President Donald Trump. He referred to a memorandum reached with Trump in June, saying Tehran still wanted to move forward on the framework that had previously been agreed.
According to Pezeshkian, Iran had accepted the earlier framework and questioned why the process broke down only weeks after an understanding had been reached. He said Tehran remained open to negotiations but wanted any future agreement to operate within an international legal framework.
The Iranian president also addressed the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme during the Fox News interview. He rejected the suggestion that Tehran was seeking a nuclear weapon and said Iran was prepared to dilute enriched nuclear material and allow international verification as part of efforts to address concerns over its programme.
Pezeshkian said the timing of any possible agreement in relation to the upcoming US midterm elections was not important to Tehran. He said Iran would be prepared to negotiate either before or after the elections if Washington was willing to work within international legal frameworks.
The comments come amid continued diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran. US officials have acknowledged discussions with Iranian representatives, while President Donald Trump has continued to publicly apply pressure on Tehran while also referring to the possibility of a negotiated settlement.
The Strait of Hormuz also remains a major issue in the wider dispute. Iranian officials have previously indicated that Tehran could consider reopening the strategic waterway if Washington reduces military pressure and lifts restrictions affecting Iranian ports.
Pezeshkian’s latest remarks therefore combine a rejection of continued war with an expressed willingness to pursue negotiations, while differences over sanctions, nuclear activities, military pressure and the terms of any potential agreement remain unresolved.
