Iranian President Affirms Tehran Has No Desire for War or Nuclear Weapons

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on the United States not to allow Israel to ignite further conflict in the region, stressing that Tehran does not seek war, and that it is Israel that is pushing for escalation.

In an interview aired on Monday with conservative American talk show host Tucker Carlson, Pezeshkian said,"We did not start the war, and we do not want any war to continue."

He added that he has consistently advocated for unity and friendship within the country, as well as peace and calm with neighboring states and the international community.

When asked whether Iran is willing to abandon its nuclear program in pursuit of peace, the Iranian president responded:

"The truth is that since 1992, (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu has persistently tried to portray Iran as seeking nuclear weapons. Every American president has believed this lie."

According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, Pezeshkian reaffirmed that Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and "never will."