Iran’s Pezeshkian signals openness to nuclear talks during UN visit

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was prepared to negotiate limits on its nuclear program under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, adopting a conciliatory tone during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly.

In an interview with Fox News, Pezeshkian denied that Iran sought a nuclear weapon, calling such arms “unholy” and “illegal.” Asked whether Tehran would permit international inspectors to return, he said agreements on inspections could be reached through negotiations. Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency after US-Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025.

The IAEA has estimated that Iran possesses more than 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to as much as 60%, a level well above typical civilian requirements. The agency has sought access to Iranian facilities and updated information about the country’s nuclear material.

Pezeshkian cited distrust between Tehran and Washington when asked about meeting US President Donald Trump. Deutsche Welle reported that Iranian and US delegations had met during the week, while the White House said talks through intermediaries were “positive and constructive.”

Separately, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash told France 24 that Iran had drawn his country into the conflict after the UAE was targeted by thousands of Iranian missiles and drones. He said the current state of “no war, no peace” was unsustainable.