In a video interview published Monday with Tucker Carlson, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed that Israel had attempted to assassinate him during last month's hostilities between the two countries.
Speaking through a translator, Pezeshkian asserted, "It was not the United States that was behind the attempt on my life. It was Israel. I was in a meeting, they tried to bombard the area in which we were holding that meeting."
Pezeshkian also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging peace negotiations with the US. "We were in the middle of talks with the US. The president had invited us to negotiate for peace. They told us that as long as we didn't give the green light to Israel, they wouldn't attack us. We were supposed to hold the next round very soon," he said.
"But in the middle of it, suddenly Israel upended the negotiating table. We were at the table when it happened," he said.
Pezeshkian denied that Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons, stating, "We have never pursued the development of a nuclear bomb - neither in the past, nor today, nor in the future." Citing fatwas by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he said it was "religiously forbidden" for Iran. He accused Netanyahu of fostering a "false mentality" since 1984 that Iran is seeking the bomb.
Addressing chants of "Death to America," Pezeshkian explained, "When they say 'Death to America,' they don't mean death to the American people or its officials. They mean death to crimes, death to killing and massacres, death to support for the killing of others."
He also denied any Iranian involvement in alleged plots to assassinate former US President Donald Trump, claiming, "That's what Netanyahu is trying to make your people or your president believe."
Pezeshkian addressed Iran's decision to halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying that "somehow we realized Israel was able to obtain information from the IAEA's inspections." He added, "There was a lack of trust following the IAEA's latest report, the type of report and the way it was drafted somehow gave the Israeli regime an excuse and paved the way for its illegal attack on our nuclear facilities."
He further claimed that even after that, "the IAEA failed to condemn those attacks or attempt to stop them," leading to "widespread distrust among Iranian lawmakers and public opinion."
On Iranian citizens in the US
Asked about allegations of "Iranian sleeper cells" in the US, Pezeshkian responded, "This is the first time I'm hearing this from you or anyone. Iranians are known for their knowledge, science, manners and culture. Have you ever seen them act violently?"
He continued, "This is what Israel is trying to plant in your minds. You're spreading the idea that Iranians might be capable of such things. But it's completely false, by nature, Iranians are pro-peace and harmony."
Regarding reports of a fatwa against Trump, he clarified, "To the best of my knowledge, no decree or fatwa was issued against anyone or against Donald Trump. This has nothing to do with the Iranian government or with the honorable Supreme Leader." He said the fatwa was "in fact meant as a condemnation of insults to religion or religious figures."
Carlson: "Americans deserve to know"
Carlson explained the timing of the interview by saying, "We know we'll be attacked just for conducting this interview, but we did it because American citizens deserve to know what's happening, especially when it's being done in their name and with their money."
He said he avoided questions unlikely to receive credible answers, such as whether Iran's nuclear program was destroyed in the US strike known as "Operation Midnight Hammer." Instead, he focused on direct questions: "What is your goal? Do you seek war with the US? With Israel?"
Carlson also revealed that he had submitted a third request in recent months to interview Prime Minister Netanyahu, but had yet to receive a response.
The interview comes amid widening rifts within the MAGA movement, between nationalist isolationists and neoconservatives pushing a hard line on Iran.
