Full interview by Tucker Carlson with Iranian President Pezeshkian

At a crucial moment for the Middle East and world peace, this exclusive interview offers a first-hand look at Iran's position on war, nuclear power, the role of the United States, and Israel's influence. The Iranian President's transparency and direct tone deserve to be heard and evaluated without filters, beyond propaganda and one-sided readings. Below, the full video and the full transcript in Italian , for those who want to delve deeper and judge with their own eyes.

Tucker Carlson: Mr. President, thank you for agreeing to this interview. There appears to be a truce, or at least a pause, in the war between the United States and Iran. How do you think this conflict will end? How would you like it to end?

President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian: We are the ones who suffered this war. We did not start it and in no way do we want it to continue. From the beginning of my term, the guiding principle of my administration has been to promote national unity in the country and to cultivate peaceful, stable and friendly relations with our neighbors and the rest of the world.

Carlson: U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the United States bombed your nuclear enrichment facilities because the Iranian government refused to give up its nuclear program. He says there can be no peace until Iran gives up that program. Would you be willing to do that in exchange for peace?

President: Let me first clarify what happened. Since 1984, Netanyahu has spread the false idea that Iran seeks a nuclear bomb. He has planted this suspicion in the minds of every American president since then, making them believe that we seek a nuclear weapon. But the truth is different: we have never sought to develop a nuclear device, not in the past, not today, and not in the future. This is because we consider it morally wrong and in total contradiction with the religious decree — the fatwa — issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which categorically prohibits the construction and use of nuclear weapons.

This religious prohibition has always been confirmed by our cooperation with the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, which was able to verify regularly that there were no traces of a military program. Unfortunately, this cooperation was compromised by the illegitimate attacks against our nuclear installations.

Carlson: According to some sources, Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA. As a result, there would be no way to know how much uranium you are enriching and at what level. Would you be willing to allow other countries to verify that you are not building nuclear weapons?

Chairman: Mr. Carlson, I would like to point out that we were in the midst of negotiations with the United States, at their invitation, to seek a peaceful solution. During the talks, we were told clearly that until we gave Israel certain authorizations, they would not attack us. We were on the verge of a new round of talks when Israel suddenly blew everything up: an attack that destroyed the negotiating table.

This has shattered any diplomatic efforts. That said, we are still willing to discuss the possible reinstatement of oversight of our nuclear program. We have never been the ones to evade oversight. But the American attacks on our facilities have severely damaged much of our equipment. We currently do not even have access to parts of the installations. Before any oversight can resume, the extent of the damage must be understood and access restored.

Carlson: There are reports that your government believes the IAEA was spying for Israel. Is that true? And do you have evidence that the world can see?

President: Yes, we had some mistrust of the IAEA, because we noticed that Israel seemed to be receiving information collected during inspections. However, we never prevented the IAEA from operating in the country: they always had full access to monitor our nuclear activities. But after the Agency's latest report - as it was drafted and presented - Israel found a pretext to launch an unjustified attack. And the IAEA did not even condemn that aggression, in violation of international law. This silence has generated deep mistrust, both among our legislators and among the public.

Carlson: You said you were eager to resolve tensions with the United States through diplomacy, but that was interrupted by the war. Would you be willing to restart the dialogue? And what kind of agreement would you be willing to accept, concretely?

President: I firmly believe that our differences with the United States can be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. International law could be the basis for a fair agreement, in which the rights of all nations, including ours, are respected. But, unfortunately, as I said, it was Netanyahu who sabotaged every diplomatic effort, fomenting instability and conflict in the region.

My principle has always been to promote peace. I believe deeply that, in the short time that God gives us on this earth, we must live in harmony with others. Having said that, I want to reiterate that our people are capable of defending themselves from any attack. And I believe that the President of the United States has the responsibility to choose: he can lead the world towards peace or drag it into endless wars.

Carlson: Do you have any plans to resume negotiations with the United States, for example with envoy Steve Witkoff or other interlocutors? And if not, what do you think will happen?

President: We have no problem with resuming negotiations. However, I must point out that because of the crimes committed by the Israeli regime — not only against Iran, but throughout the region — we are now facing a real crisis. Our commanders were killed while they were at home with their families, off duty. This is a war crime under international law.

Our scientists and their loved ones were also murdered. Pregnant women, children, entire families were killed just to hit a single target. They razed entire buildings to eliminate one person. Faced with these acts, before we can talk about negotiations, we must ask ourselves: how can we trust the United States anymore? If we return to the negotiating table, who can assure us that in the midst of the dialogue Israel will not again receive a green light to attack us?

Carlson: Do you believe the Israeli government attempted to assassinate you?

President: Yes, they tried, they took concrete action, but they failed. And as a man of faith, I believe that only God can decide the moment of death. You can die even walking freely in the street, if God wants it. But I want to be clear: I am not afraid to sacrifice my life to defend the sovereignty, freedom and independence of my nation.

We are ready to give our blood for this. No one in the government is afraid to die to defend their people. But I wonder: will all this bloodshed really bring security to the region? Assassinations, killings, violence… will they ever bring peace and stability?

Carlson: With respect, can you tell us how you know for certain that you were the target of an attack? I don't think that's been officially confirmed.

President: It is true, it was not the United States, but Israel. I was in a meeting, we were discussing the path forward, when through intelligence we learned that the area where the meeting was held had been targeted for bombing. But, again, God willed otherwise. And I repeat: we do not fear martyrdom. The aggression imposed by Israel had a clear effect: it strengthened the unity and solidarity of the Iranian people, both at home and among Iranians abroad. It showed how much our people care about the sovereignty and integrity of the homeland.

This aggression has only strengthened our internal cohesion. My appeal to the United States is simple: do not enter into a war that does not belong to you. This is not America's war, it is Netanyahu's personal war, which pursues his plan to destabilize the entire region.

Carlson: Many Americans are afraid of Iran. You say you’re not afraid, but many in the United States are afraid that Iran wants to hit us with a nuclear weapon. They see videos of Iranians shouting “Death to America” and calling our country “the great Satan.” How do you respond to these fears? Should we be afraid of Iran?

President: I believe this is a profound and unjustified misunderstanding. Let me remind you that Iran has never invaded another country in the last 200 years. When some protesters shout “Death to America,” they do not mean death to the American people, or to their representatives. That slogan expresses rejection of crimes, of wars, of those who sow death and destruction.

It is a slogan against oppression, against the use of force. But tell me: have you ever heard of an Iranian killing an American citizen? Of a terrorist attack committed by an Iranian against the United States? No, because it has never happened.

It was a US president himself who said that it was America that created ISIS in our region. That is where this distorted image of Islam comes from. So, once again, “Death to America” means death to crimes, to arrogance, to oppression. It is not a wish against Americans as people.

Carlson: Two Iranian ayatollahs have issued a fatwa against Donald Trump. What does that mean exactly? What do you think?

President: As far as I know, there has been no fatwa against a specific individual, nor against Donald Trump. Furthermore, this has nothing to do with the Iranian government or the Supreme Leader. These statements were a general condemnation of those who offend religions or religious figures, and in no case was it a threat directed at a specific person.

If some individuals have expressed personal opinions, these should not be interpreted as an official government position or as a threat.

Carlson: Has Iran ever supported or organized an attack on Donald Trump?

President: This is exactly what Netanyahu is trying to insinuate to make your people and your president believe it is true. But it is not. As I said, Netanyahu has his own agenda: he wants to drag the United States into endless wars, fueling instability and insecurity throughout the region.

Carlson: There are many citizens of Iranian origin living in the United States. Some say that there are “sleeper cells” linked to your government, ready to act. Can you make an appeal to not commit acts of violence?

President: What you are telling me is the first time I have heard it. Iranians are known for their culture, science, civilization and kindness. Have you seen other behavior? Violent acts? Has anyone ever witnessed anything like this?

These are insinuations coming from Israel, which wants to instill fear in your public opinion, to push you towards a war in our region. But it is not in the interest of the United States to enter into such a conflict.

Carlson: Not long ago, during the revolutionary period, Iran had trade relations with Israel, and apparently even bought weapons. What has changed?

President: It was Israel that destroyed that relationship. Look at what it has done in recent years in Palestine, in Gaza: bombing schools, hospitals, civilians, children. Blockades on food and medicine. All of this amounts to genocide. It is this criminal behavior that makes a relationship with Israel impossible. And I want to make it clear: we have never received weapons from Israel. Not even in the past.

Even during the war with Iraq we did not want to fight: that war was forced on us, just like this one is today. We did not attack Israel. Israel attacked us.

Carlson: Could you imagine, after a diplomatic process, a future in which American companies return to invest in Iran, sanctions are lifted, and there is peace? Is that your goal? Do you think it is possible?

President: From the beginning of my term, I have worked to strengthen internal unity and improve relations with neighboring countries. In a conversation with the Supreme Leader, His Eminence clearly stated that there is no obstacle to the presence of American investors in Iran. Even today.

The only limit is the sanctions imposed by the United States, not by us. But again: it is Israel that is standing in the way of peace, it is Israel that does not want stability in the region. And yet, I firmly believe that President Trump has the opportunity — and the responsibility — to lead the world toward a better future. He has a choice: to drag America into a quagmire of war, or to put Israel in its place and build a new era of peace and cooperation.

Carlson: If a larger war were to break out, can you count on military or economic support from Russia and China?

President: We have always placed our trust in God. And we are fully capable of defending ourselves, to the last drop of blood. As I have already said: we do not want war, we do not want nuclear weapons. The distorted image that American decision-makers have of us is the fruit of manipulations orchestrated by Netanyahu.

The President of the United States must know that another war would only mean more instability in the Middle East. And it would not be in the interest of either the American President or the American people. Instead, he should choose the path of peace. We are ready. We always have been.

Carlson: Mr. President, thank you for taking the time to share your views.

President: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express what is in my heart. I truly hope that peace and tranquility will prevail — not only for the American people and their representatives, but for the entire world, and especially for our region. Thank you again.