TEHRAN – Iranian President Masudo Pezeshkian conducted an online interview with American journalists where he finds it increasingly difficult to trust the United States when it comes to diplomacy.
“We were at the negotiation table. We were having discussions. The US president was asking us to engage in consultations to establish peace,” Pezeschkian told Tucker Carlson. “In these talks, it was said that without our permission, Israel would not launch an attack. Just before the sixth round – while we were still negotiating, Netanu actually dropped a bomb on the negotiation table and destroyed diplomacy.”
Pezeschkian promised voters in the summer of 2024 to participate in consultations with the US to resolve issues between the two countries through dialogue. Indirect talks with Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program began in April 2025. A few days before the sixth negotiations were scheduled, Israel unleashed airstrikes on Iranian soils, targeting the country’s nuclear sites, military and civilian infrastructure and housing construction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later announced that he had notified President Donald Trump before the attack. Trump personally took part in the war on June 22 by hitting three nuclear sites in the countries of Natantz, Esfahan and Fordau.
The war has increased domestic opposition, with various political groups saying that it’s pointless for the US to use negotiations as a cover-up and to sit at the negotiation table again. “We have no issues with negotiations, but we need to be able to trust the United States again,” Pezeschkian said. “Israel should not be allowed to attack again in the middle of consultations.
Pezeschkian also worked on Iran’s decision to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), explaining that the UN nuclear observer is a different party. It was unacceptable and caused serious distrust among our people and lawmakers of government agencies. ”
Elsewhere in his remarks, the president said Iran was ready to defend itself if Israel and the United States launch another war with the Iranian state. He added that he doesn’t need the help of Russia or China to effectively push back against the attack.