Iran's President Denies Nuclear Goals, Criticizes US Influence

WHO:

CNN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since the war began and has sustained serious injuries.

CNN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated he had recent meetings with Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who he described as "quite healthy."

Fox News - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

CNN - Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei

CNN - U.S. President Donald Trump

CNN - U.S. Secret Service

CNN - White House spokesperson Anna Kelly

WHAT:

Fox News - Pezeshkian claimed that Iran's nuclear program is open to international inspection, stating, "We are willing to submit ourselves to verification."

CNN - Pezeshkian mentioned that the Iranian economy was already in a dire state before the war, which has led to anti-regime demonstrations in Tehran in 2025.

CNN - Pezeshkian asserted that Iran does not seek war, stating, "We never sought war. We do not seek war."

Fox News - Pezeshkian indicated that Tehran would be open to lowering its uranium enrichment levels and allowing outside verification as part of an effort to ease nuclear tensions, stating, "We are willing to dilute them. It’s not a big deal."

Fox News - Pezeshkian mentioned a memorandum of understanding signed by himself and Trump in June, intended to halt hostilities and establish a framework for a broader U.S.-Iran agreement, which included a 60-day process toward a final agreement.

CNN - Pezeshkian claimed that Iran's economy was in a dire state even before the war began, with poor conditions driving anti-regime demonstrations in Tehran in 2025.

CNN - Pezeshkian stated that "most of the American bases in the region are no longer usable," following Iranian strikes that damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. bases during the war's first months, according to a Pentagon watchdog report released earlier this month.

NBC News - Pezeshkian suggested that Iran is willing to make a deal with the U.S. to end the war before the U.S. midterm elections in November.

CNN - Pezeshkian claimed that the Iranian economy is facing "unprecedentedly difficult problems" due to U.S. sanctions and the ongoing war.

Fox News - Pezeshkian denied that Iran wants a nuclear bomb, stating, "Not at all. Not at all."

Fox News - Pezeshkian indicated Iran is willing to dilute uranium and allow international verification.

Fox News - Pezeshkian claimed Iran had reached an agreement with Trump regarding nuclear ambitions.

CNN - Pezeshkian stated that Iran would never try to kill Trump, despite accusations from U.S. authorities.

CNN - Pezeshkian described Iran's economic issues as "unprecedentedly difficult problems" due to U.S. sanctions.

CNN - Pezeshkian claimed that most American bases in the region are "no longer usable."

WHERE:

CNN - Pezeshkian held a media briefing at the Millennium Hilton hotel in New York, near the UN headquarters.

Fox News - The interview with Pezeshkian took place on "Special Report."

CNN - Pezeshkian held a media briefing at the Millennium Hilton hotel in New York.

WHEN:

Fox News - Pezeshkian's interview occurred on a Thursday.

CNN - Pezeshkian's media briefing followed his address to the UN General Assembly on a Wednesday.

WHY:

Fox News - Pezeshkian blamed the U.S. for the ongoing war, stating, "The problem is that America... is blocking every pathway."

Fox News - Pezeshkian blamed the U.S. for the ongoing war in the Middle East and for blocking diplomacy.

CNN - Pezeshkian described U.S. sanctions as a "silent murderous campaign" affecting the Iranian people.

HOW:

CNN - Pezeshkian described his recent meeting with Khamenei as lasting around seven hours and taking place about one month ago.

CNN - Pezeshkian mentioned that his most recent in-person meeting with Khamenei lasted around seven hours and took place about one month ago.

Fox News - Pezeshkian mentioned that Iran would continue to resist U.S. military and economic pressure.

CNN - Pezeshkian stated that Iran's delegation was in the U.S. strictly for UN-related business and required State Department approval for activities outside designated areas.

(UPDATED September 25, 2026 13:03 UTC)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian revealed during a media briefing at the Millennium Hilton hotel in New York that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since the war began and has sustained serious injuries. Pezeshkian also stated that Iran's nuclear program is open to international inspection and emphasized that the country does not seek war, while blaming the U.S. for blocking pathways to peace. He noted that the Iranian economy was already struggling before the conflict, which has sparked anti-regime demonstrations in Tehran in 2025.

(UPDATED September 25, 2026 03:00 UTC)

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Pezeshkian has expressed a willingness to lower uranium enrichment levels and allow outside verification in an effort to ease nuclear tensions, stating, "We are willing to dilute them. It’s not a big deal." He also referenced a memorandum of understanding signed with Trump in June, aimed at halting hostilities and establishing a framework for a broader U.S.-Iran agreement, which includes a 60-day process toward a final agreement. Additionally, Pezeshkian noted that Iran's economy was already struggling before the war began, leading to anti-regime demonstrations in Tehran in 2025, and he claimed that "most of the American bases in the region are no longer usable" due to damage from Iranian strikes.

(UPDATED September 25, 2026 02:03 UTC)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has revealed that he recently met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who he described as "quite healthy," during a seven-hour meeting about a month ago. Pezeshkian indicated that Iran is open to negotiating a deal with the U.S. to end the ongoing war before the midterm elections in November. He also noted that the Iranian economy is currently facing "unprecedentedly difficult problems" due to U.S. sanctions and the conflict.

(UPDATED September 25, 2026 01:22 UTC)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently denied that Iran seeks a nuclear bomb, asserting that the country is open to diluting uranium and allowing international verification. During a media briefing at the Millennium Hilton hotel in New York, he claimed that Iran had reached an agreement with Trump regarding its nuclear ambitions and emphasized that Iran would never attempt to harm the U.S. President, despite accusations from U.S. authorities. Pezeshkian also described the economic challenges facing Iran as "unprecedentedly difficult problems" due to U.S. sanctions, which he labeled a "silent murderous campaign" impacting the Iranian people.