Iran Ready for Nuclear Talks, Strait of Hormuz Opening, President Pezeshkian Says

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in interviews with American television networks that Tehran is prepared to return to agreements with the U.S., reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and allow international inspectors access to its nuclear facilities. However, he cited a lack of trust as the primary obstacle to direct talks with Donald Trump.

Pezeshkian explained that daily sanctions, threats, and strikes against Iran, coupled with perceived non-compliance by the U.S. with prior written agreements, fuel this distrust. He questioned whether the U.S. would uphold any future negotiated terms. Despite this, he reaffirmed Iran's proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and resume negotiations based on a summer memorandum, contingent on Washington's agreement to operate within that framework.

Regarding the nuclear program, Pezeshkian confirmed Iran's readiness to allow IAEA inspectors, stating conditions could be negotiated. He reiterated that Iran does not intend to abandon its nuclear technology or pursue nuclear weapons, calling their development religiously forbidden. He also addressed the health of the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that injuries sustained from U.S.-Israeli strikes have healed and he is in good health, based on his own medical assessment.

In separate interviews, Pezeshkian reiterated Iran's lack of desire for nuclear weapons and willingness to reduce uranium enrichment levels and permit international inspections, emphasizing that enrichment itself would continue. He asserted that Iran does not seek war and placed the decision to end it on America, while accusing the U.S. and Israel of carrying out assassinations within Iran and citing security concerns as a barrier to direct negotiations.

Tehran's current public stance, as articulated by Pezeshkian, includes openness to negotiations, inspections, and returning to previous agreements, but not capitulation, abandoning uranium enrichment, or negotiating under military pressure.