Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian revealed in an exclusive interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson that Israel attempted to assassinate him, linking the failed plot to efforts to sabotage Iran-U.S. diplomacy.

Aired on Monday, the interview, conducted amid escalating tensions following the recent 12-day Israel-Iran conflict, offered a rare glimpse into Iran’s perspective on its nuclear program, regional conflicts, and prospects for diplomacy with the West.

Pezeshkian disclosed that Israeli intelligence had obtained details of a meeting he was attending and attempted to bombard the location. "They did try. Yes. And they acted accordingly, but they failed," he told Carlson. Attributing his survival to divine will, he stated, "As a true believer, I believe it is in the hands of God Almighty to determine when a person will die or will not die." The Iranian president underscored his willingness to sacrifice his life for his country, declaring, "We are not afraid of martyrdom. We are not afraid of sacrificing our lives for our people, for our independence.

"The alleged assassination attempt, according to Pezeshkian, was part of a broader Israeli strategy to sabotage diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the United States. "We were sitting at the negotiating table when it happened. And by doing this, they totally ruined and destroyed diplomacy," he said, directly implicating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in undermining peace efforts. Pezeshkian suggested that the attack was meant to provoke Iran and destabilize the region, further complicating already fragile relations.

Throughout the interview, Pezeshkian firmly denied that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, emphasizing a religious fatwa issued by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that prohibits their development. "We have never been after developing a nuclear bomb, not in the past, not presently, or in the future," he asserted. He accused Netanyahu of perpetuating a false narrative since the 1980s that Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a claim he said has misled successive U.S. administrations.

Addressing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, Pezeshkian acknowledged that cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been disrupted due to attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, which he attributed to Israel. "Many of the pieces of equipment and the facilities there have been severely damaged," he explained, noting that this limits Iran’s ability to facilitate inspections. However, he expressed openness to renewed IAEA oversight, stating, "We are ready to hold talks over it... we stand ready to have these supervisions." He criticized the IAEA for failing to condemn attacks on Iran’s facilities, which he said eroded trust among Iranians and fueled skepticism about the agency’s impartiality.

Pezeshkian expressed a willingness to restart diplomatic talks with the United States but voiced deep skepticism about American reliability, citing the mid-negotiation attack he attributed to Israel. "How are we going to trust the United States again? How can we know for sure that, in the middle of the talks, the Israeli regime will not be given permission again to attack us?" he asked. He framed international law as the basis for any potential agreement, emphasizing respect for Iran’s sovereign rights.

The Iranian president accused Netanyahu of pursuing a deliberate agenda to foment "forever wars" in the region, dragging the U.S. into conflicts that serve Israel’s interests. He urged U.S. President Donald Trump to resist these pressures and guide the region toward peace. "The United States president can very well guide the region and the world to peace and tranquility, or lead it to forever wars," Pezeshkian said, positioning Trump as a pivotal figure in de-escalating tensions.

Responding to allegations that Iranian nationals in the U.S. operate as sleeper cells under Tehran’s command, Pezeshkian dismissed the claims as baseless propaganda orchestrated by Israel. "Iranians are known for their knowledge, for their science, for their courtesy, for being civilized. Have you seen otherwise?" he challenged. He argued that such narratives are designed to scare Americans and justify U.S. involvement in regional conflicts, which he warned would not serve American interests.

Pezeshkian also categorically denied any Iranian involvement in assassination attempts against Trump, labeling such accusations as fabrications by Netanyahu to provoke conflict. "This is what Netanyahu is trying to insinuate and to make your people or the president of your country believe," he said, reiterating that Israel’s actions aim to destabilize the region.

Reflecting on Iran’s pre-revolutionary relations with Israel, which included commercial ties and reputed arms deals, Pezeshkian blamed Israel’s actions in Gaza for the breakdown in relations. He described Israel’s military operations as "nothing short of a full-scale genocide," citing the bombing of civilian areas, schools, and hospitals, and the blocking of food and medicine to Gaza. "Their own behavior and their own actions are to blame," he said, arguing that Israel’s policies have alienated Iran and the broader region.

Pezeshkian also referenced Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq (1980-1988), which he described as an imposed conflict, to underscore Iran’s defensive posture. "We did not want to fight the Iraqis. It was the war that was imposed on us," he said, drawing parallels to the current conflict with Israel.

Despite the challenges, Pezeshkian expressed optimism about future economic and diplomatic engagement with the U.S., noting that the Supreme Leader supports American investment in Iran. "There has never been any limitation... this is the belief of the supreme leader of Iran," he said, identifying U.S. sanctions as the primary obstacle to such cooperation. He envisioned a future where sanctions are lifted, allowing American companies to invest in Iran and fostering regional stability.

When asked about potential reliance on allies like Russia and China in the event of a broader conflict, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s self-reliance. "We have always put our trust in God... we are capable enough to defend ourselves," he said, underscoring Iran’s determination to protect its territorial integrity without depending on external military or economic support. He reiterated Iran’s desire to avoid war, stating, "We don’t want wars. We don’t want to develop a nuclear weapon."

The interview, Pezeshkian’s first with an American journalist since assuming the presidency, comes at a critical juncture as Iran navigates heightened regional instability, ongoing Israeli-Iranian hostilities, and international scrutiny over its nuclear program. The alleged assassination attempt, coupled with Pezeshkian’s accusations against Israel, underscores the deepening rift between Tehran and Jerusalem. His call for renewed diplomacy with the U.S., tempered by skepticism, highlights the complex path toward de-escalation.

Pezeshkian’s remarks also reflect Iran’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a victim of external aggression while advocating for peace and sovereignty. By invoking religious principles and national unity, he sought to rally domestic support while appealing to international audiences for a resolution based on mutual respect and international law.

As tensions persist, Pezeshkian’s interview serves as a bold statement of Iran’s stance, urging the U.S. to reconsider its alignment with Israel and prioritize diplomacy over conflict. The international community will be closely watching the responses from Washington and Tel Aviv as the region teeters on the brink of further escalation. (ILKHA)