Iranian president says Tehran wants US deal before midterms, offers nuclear concession

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran wants to reach an agreement with the United States before the November midterm elections and is prepared to relinquish uranium enriched to 60% under international rules.

“We don’t want it to get to the midterm elections,” Pezeshkian told reporters Thursday, disputing President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran was waiting until after the vote to resolve the conflict, The Hill reported.

During an interview with Fox News in New York, where he was attending the UN General Assembly, Pezeshkian was asked whether Iran would give up its stock of uranium enriched to 60%. “Yes, within the framework of international law, based on the Nonproliferation Treaty,” he said. “Whatever we are supposed to adhere to, we will.”

Pezeshkian also denied that Iran wants a nuclear weapon, calling such weapons “unholy” and “illegal” and citing religious edicts against weapons of mass destruction.

The International Atomic Energy Agency most recently estimated that Iran possessed more than 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to as much as 60%, according to Deutsche Welle. Iran suspended cooperation with the agency after US-Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025, while the IAEA has sought renewed access and updated information about the stockpile.

According to Deutsche Welle, there are signs of talks, including meetings between Iranian and US delegations earlier in the week. The White House said “positive and constructive” discussions were continuing through intermediaries.