President: Iran Ready for Dialogue, Rejects Coercion

Speaking to CBS News during his visit to New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, the Iranian president stressed that rebuilding trust and Washington’s practical adherence to agreements are essential for diplomacy to move forward, while emphasizing that Iran does not seek war but will defend itself against threats or attacks.

Pezeshkian outlined Iran’s positions on nuclear negotiations, regional developments, relations with Washington, sanctions and domestic issues.

He said Iran had previously reached understandings with the US, but the process was disrupted by Washington’s failure to honor its commitments. Tehran, he added, remains ready to negotiate within international law and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), including over nuclear monitoring mechanisms.

Pezeshkian said Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and argued that disagreements over inspections could be addressed through negotiations and an agreed framework. He criticized the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, saying they had been subject to international monitoring, and questioned the legal basis for attacking such sites.

Asked about direct talks with US President Donald Trump, Pezeshkian pointed to a deep climate of mistrust following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement and subsequent military attacks during diplomatic contacts. Iran, he said, needs practical evidence that Washington is committed to agreements and is not seeking to overthrow the Iranian government.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the president said the two sides could return to an earlier framework if Washington accepted the arrangements previously discussed. He maintained that implementation should proceed through mutual commitments and dialogue.

On regional developments, Pezeshkian said Iran wants peace and does not seek conflict with neighboring countries. He called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to international rules, adding that regional states could cooperate to develop the region.

Pezeshkian also criticized economic sanctions that affect ordinary people, particularly patients, the elderly and the poor, and called for an approach based on justice and respect for human rights.

Addressing domestic unrest and casualties, he acknowledged that innocent people had been killed while arguing that armed groups had contributed to the violence.

The president reiterated that Iran remains committed to diplomacy but will not accept coercion or surrender under pressure, stressing that disagreements should be resolved peacefully and through mutual respect.

Pezeshkian further said he had met twice with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and held a seven-hour meeting with him, describing him as being in good physical health. He said Iran’s diplomatic approach is coordinated with the Leader and that a six-member team from the military, Parliament and government has been authorized to discuss and implement decisions.

The president said Iran’s decision to attend the UN General Assembly was not made under pressure and rejected reports that he had been confined to a shelter during the war imposed by the US and the Israeli regime. He said he continued holding meetings with government ministers and officials while avoiding exposure to potential attacks.

On the detention of two US citizens in Iran, Pezeshkian questioned whether releasing them would rebuild trust, citing previous instances in which Iran fulfilled commitments but the US did not reciprocate.

Addressing threats against Trump and his family, Pezeshkian said that if the Iranian government intended to pursue such actions, “it would not be sitting at the negotiating table.”