New York

In remarks that were expected from a president known for positions critics regard as weakening Iran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that Tehran is prepared to give up its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, during an interview with U.S. network Fox News on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The announcement came amid escalating U.S. threats of large-scale military strikes against Iran, most recently at the UN General Assembly, where U.S. President Donald Trump spoke openly about destroying Iran.

First: Pezeshkian’s Statements to Fox News

During the interview with anchor Bret Baier, Pezeshkian was asked directly whether Iran was prepared to give up its 60%-enriched uranium. He replied:

“Yes. Within the framework of international law and based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we will comply with everything we are supposed to comply with.”

The Iranian president provided further details about the offer, saying that Iran is

“prepared to significantly reduce the concentration of these materials”

and is

“prepared to undergo a verification process”

by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He added that Iran

“has never sought to possess a nuclear weapon,”

referring to the religious edict prohibiting the accumulation of weapons of mass destruction and describing such weapons as

“impure” and “religiously forbidden.”

Pezeshkian also stressed that Tehran had actually reached an agreement with U.S. President Trump, telling Baier:

“We have already reached an agreement with your president… and based on that, we are prepared and still willing to move forward.”

Second: Iran’s Conditions for Moving Forward

Pezeshkian linked the proposed nuclear concession to several clear conditions:

1. Lifting the U.S. economic blockade:

He said Tehran had not closed the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that it “was open,” and that “the U.S. government must decide whether it wants to end this war or not.”

2. Returning to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

The MoU was signed last June and included arrangements for a temporary ceasefire before subsequently collapsing.

3. Release of frozen Iranian assets:

Pezeshkian said that “our money in China is blocked,” adding that Iran “cannot even withdraw its money from a country to which we supplied goods.”

Third: Offer to Move Forward Before the Midterm Elections

In a separate meeting with NBC News and other media outlets at a New York hotel, Pezeshkian said:

“We do not want this to reach the midterm elections.”

He added:

“We hope the Americans return to the Memorandum of Understanding before the midterm elections.”