Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the fact that his country harbors enriched uranium underground in a mountain is “not a big deal.”
Pezeshkian made the comment in a Fox News interview on Special Report with Bret Baier on Thursday night, telling the host that Iran does not want a nuclear weapon “at all.” Following that comment, Bret Baier asked Pezeshkian if that truly was the case, then why the Iranians have “60% enriched uranium” that is “buried deep under a mountain.”
“We said we’re willing to dilute them. It’s not a big deal. We are willing to submit ourselves to verification,” Pezeshkian said in response.
The interview came one day after Pezeshkian addressed the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, telling President Donald Trump from the podium that Iran will “never bend the knee.” The Iranian president told the international body on Wednesday that his country is only interested in nuclear energy and not nuclear weapons.
On Thursday, Pezeshkian answered in the affirmative when Baier asked if his country would give up the 60% enriched uranium that the International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has possession of.
“Yes,” Pezeshkian said. “Within the framework of international law, based on the non-proliferation treaty, whatever we are supposed to adhere to, we will.”
Pezeshkian dodged Baier’s questions about Iran blocking IAEA inspectors from entering the country. The Islamic regime cut ties with the international nuclear weapons watchdog in 2025, preventing the IAEA inspectors from being able to fully monitor the regime’s nuclear capabilities or uranium arsenal.
“According to the [IAEA’s Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons] legal framework, no power has the right to conduct a military operation and target a facility under the auspices of the IAEA,” Pezeshkian said when Baier asked if he would commit to allowing IAEA inspectors back in the country.
Pezeshkian also blamed the United States for the reason there has not been a peace agreement yet, claiming “we are ready,” despite frequent statements from U.S. negotiators that Iran’s terms have been unsatisfactory.
TRUMP DEFENDS IRAN WAR IN SUBDUED ADDRESS TO WORLD LEADERS
In Trump’s address to the United Nations, he told world leaders that a peace deal will come after the midterm elections, adding that he has “a big decision to make.”
“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world?” Trump said. “Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?”