2026-09-25T21:10:33-0400 / https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-iranian-president-masoud-pezeshkian-face-the-nation-transcript-09-27-2026/
以下是伊朗总统马苏德·佩泽希基安接受2026年9月27日《与玛格丽特·布伦南直面国家》节目采访的文字实录，采访于9月25日录制。
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玛格丽特·布伦南： 总统先生，感谢您抽出时间接受我们的采访。
伊朗总统马苏德·佩泽希基安： 以普慈特慈的真主之名，向您致意。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 就在纽约，伊朗外长通过中间人向美国提出了一项提案：如果德黑兰的条件得到满足，将在7天后重新开放霍尔木兹海峡。届时，将启动结束战争的谈判，也可能会开启核项目相关的会谈。您预计美国何时会给出回应？
佩泽希基安总统： 如果这条信息能传达给美国总统，或是参与讨论的采访者和相关方，那么自然会从他们接受提议的当天启动相关进程。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 重新开放霍尔木兹海峡的条件是什么？
佩泽希基安总统： 我们此前曾基于在巴基斯坦签署的谅解备忘录达成过一项协议。我签署了这份协议，美国总统也签署了，我们当时正按照该协议推进工作。
我们本可以继续执行下去，但遗憾的是，由于缺乏协调，进程被中断了。
如今，事实上我们有一个遵循同一路线、目标一致的框架。归根结底，那份谅解备忘录中提出的诉求现在已经被分阶段拆解，以便我们能够按照这些步骤推进。如果美国同意按此方式推进，一切都将恢复到之前的状态。因为目前正是美国阻断了我们的道路，自然伊朗方面也从我方切断了通道。这些都是双方首先需要开放的环节；之后我们才能坐到谈判桌前，讨论当前的其他议题。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 您和特朗普总统早在6月份就签署了这项协议，但后来因航道问题产生分歧而破裂，随后伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队开始袭击船只，采取他们所谓的“未经授权的航线”。这些问题都已经解决了吗？伊朗是否会对通过该海峡的船只收取费用？
佩泽希基安总统： 我们原本达成共识的问题，原则上理应按照那份共识来处理。我们仍然恪守这份谅解备忘录，并愿意予以执行。自然，推进过程中可能会出现问题。任何解决冲突的进程都需要通过对话推进，需要一些耐心和包容。但遗憾的是，这份共识未能实现。偏离协议的问题本可以通过对话解决，但最终却演变成了共识的破裂。我们本可以通过对话解决问题，走到今天这一步。等待一个月并不困难。如果他们当时等待一个月，按照那份共识，航道将自动重新开放，谅解备忘录的剩余阶段也可以继续推进。但进程中出现的紧迫性制造了问题。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 如果特朗普总统接受这项提案，您能保证伊朗军方会遵守协议吗？
佩泽希基安总统： 显然，我们会恪守我们作出的任何承诺。本次进程中出现分歧，以及这条道路上产生争端，原因是他们未能达成本应信守的协议，却没有履行承诺。我们原本商定的航道本应在伊朗和阿曼的协调下确定通行和过境方案。基本上，如果船只打算在这些航道之外通行，理应与两国进行协调。但他们没有这么做，遗憾的是，这引发了对峙。
如果他们按照这个框架行事，我认为我们所有人都会遵守协议。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 特朗普总统表示，您此行期间他愿意与您会面，但最终未能实现。您是否愿意——如果您希望进行直接沟通——您是否愿意直接与他对话？与他会面？
佩泽希基安总统： 您看问题所在……如今，伊朗和美国之间滋生的不信任氛围，是因为我们与美国进行了多轮谈判。我们就伊朗核问题全面协议达成了共识，经过数月的谈判，美国总统撕毁了协议，尽管我们已经达成一致。之后，我们承担责任后，再次坐下来与他们恢复谈判。在谈判进行期间，他们对我们发动了袭击。轰炸开始，伊朗境内的冲突加剧。以色列介入，随后美国加入以色列一方。他们杀害了我们的许多指挥官和官员，以及我们的科学家。战后，我们再次坐下来与他们恢复谈判。又一次，在谈判期间，他们杀害了我们的最高领袖、我们的指挥官和我们的科学家。他们袭击了一所学校，造成约168名无辜学童伤亡，并摧毁了基础设施。经历了这一切之后，我们再次坐下来与他们举行会谈。在这些会谈过程中，我们再次达成了共识，又一次被他们撕毁。所以我们现在不知道该用什么语言来沟通——
玛格丽特·布伦南： 所以您不会与他会面？
佩泽希基安总统： 基本上，我们现在需要确定我们到底想要达成什么样的共识。如果我们不恪守我们书面记录的必要条款，我们真的能通过对话解决问题吗？我们已经白纸黑字写下来并签署了协议。这很清楚。
首先需要做的是，克服这场战争造成的不信任。我们需要恪守我们书面约定的内容。美国需要表明它无意推翻我们的政府或本届当局。请设身处地为我们想一想。想象一下有人来杀害了你们的最高领袖，然后不遵守你们达成的所有协议。你们会作何反应？这不是那么容易就能解决的事情。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 那么您提出的外交提议，现在是否是开始就限制伊朗核计划进行谈判，但不会完全放弃该计划？
佩泽希基安总统： 当然，我们同意这一点。我们在之前的谈判中已经就此达成了共识。他们却将其推翻了。我们本就不该发展核武器。在《不扩散核武器条约》和其他现有框架的框架内，所有这些问题都是可以达成一致的。遗憾的是，他们无视国际法赋予所有国家的权利。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 包括贵国签署的《不扩散核武器条约》在内的国际法规定，联合国检查员可以进入伊朗进行核查。你们现在是否会允许他们进入，以打消各方的担忧？
佩泽希基安总统： 这完全正确。根据这些国际法，当核中心处于国际原子能机构的监督和 auspices 之下，符合《不扩散核武器条约》框架时，任何国家都没有合法权利袭击这些核中心和设施。但美国和以色列却实施了袭击行为。如今，该机构非但没有强烈谴责，反而完全没有作出反应。为什么那些完全处于他们前所未有的监督和核查制度之下的中心和设施——他们或许对这些中心进行了最严密的监视——我们没有偏离任何框架，他们为什么要首先发动袭击？
玛格丽特·布伦南： 国际原子能机构表示，他们没有获得全面的访问权限。联合国检查员无法进入。他们表示无法确保伊朗核计划的和平性质，并表示目前伊朗拥有440公斤60%浓缩铀。因此他们希望能够核实这些材料不会被用于制造武器。贵国现在是否会允许武器检查员进入？
佩泽希基安总统： 这完全正确。
这种情况发生在美国选择撕毁伊朗核问题全面协议之后。伊朗等待了一年，等待欧洲伙伴履行他们在伊朗核问题全面协议中的承诺。他们没有做到。
伊朗退出了伊朗核问题全面协议，走上了自己认为合适的道路。
如今，如果他们希望进行核查，我们可以在谈判中就这一具体议题达成协议和谅解。而不是让他们现在就再次核查现有的框架。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 针对这次新的谈判——
佩泽希基安总统： 是的。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 好的。情况已经发生了很多变化。现在有了一位新的最高领袖。您多久与他磋商一次，他作出了哪些决定？
佩泽希基安总统： 您看，到目前为止，我与最高领袖见过两次面，我们有过会晤。还有一个进程，遗憾的是，如今以色列人和美国人在我国制造了这种局势。我的意思是，他们在管理人员的进程中制造了动荡，他们实际上建立了一个恐怖主义政府。以色列，对于任何国家来说，凭借它所拥有的能力和美国给予它的支持，前来暗杀他们想要暗杀的人。然后他们将被暗杀的人称为恐怖分子。在学校读书的孩子是恐怖分子，我们的最高领袖是恐怖分子，在大学从事科学工作的科学家是恐怖分子。他们轻而易举地前来暗杀，然后扬长而去，接着告诉世界：“我们正在打击恐怖分子。”
玛格丽特·布伦南： 您这么说是因为您在解释为什么我们至今没有见到最高领袖吗？自3月份他掌权以来，就没有他的照片公开过——
佩泽希基安总统： 存在的原因之一是，无论如何，他们在这个进程中一直在寻找目标，只要他们想这么做。我们当时正在进行会谈，他们就进行了暗杀。再次，如果我们再次进行会谈，他们会不会又来进行暗杀。我的意思是，没有安全保障，也无法保证他们会停止这些暗杀行动。我们当时彼此正在交谈，如果我们现在进行同样的会谈，不清楚他们会不会再次前来暗杀。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 但我是在问您关于新的最高领袖的情况，因为有人质疑你们的政府目前如何运作。
您说与最高领袖见过两次面。您是一名医生，受过医学训练。您觉得他从在美以袭击中受伤的情况中恢复得如何？那次袭击导致他的父亲和家人丧生。
佩泽希基安总统： 不，他目前没有具体的健康问题或健康挑战。上次我们会面时，我们谈了七个多小时，当然我们不习惯连续这么长时间坐着。我们换了角度和姿势，交叉双腿等等。不过，当然，他的健康状况足以承受这么长时间的会谈。作为一名医生，请相信我的话。他没有任何问题。他们 targeting 了一整个家庭——他们还一直说他们躲在地下，在逃跑，在躲藏。他们在人权和人道方面声称自己占据高地，这怎么可能？
玛格丽特·布伦南： 但您说最高领袖能够进行这次会面。他的腿和脸已经恢复了吗？
佩泽希基安总统： 是的。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 他能够坐在地上？
佩泽希基安总统： 是的。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 他就这次外交事务给过您建议吗？他希望与美国达成协议吗？
佩泽希基安总统： 我们讨论过的所有内容，都是通过协调形成的。
伊朗已经成立了一个团队，由各个组织、安全部队、议会代表、政府机构的六名成员组成，他们坐下来进行会谈，就决策进程进行磋商，并通过协调作出任何决定。
这在我国进行得相当顺利。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 我这么问是因为您此行本身就非同寻常。您是联合国大会期间，也就是在一场正在进行的战争期间，首位访问美国的外国领导人。
几个月前，您还在躲避美以的空袭，也就是您刚才提到的那些袭击。但现在您却带着美国签证身处纽约市，而且有美国安保人员保护您。
您为什么认为此行值得冒这个风险？
佩泽希基安总统： 几个月前我们并没有躲在避难所里。我们是如何管理国家的——我们——我们——
玛格丽特·布伦南： 指的是美国和以色列的空袭吗？
佩泽希基安总统： 我们只是不在打击范围内。我曾经每天去三个部委，与部长们举行会议。在那些事情发生期间，也就是在Bahman月22日左右*，或是在这些事情中，我都在街道上。我们并不像躲在避难所里。如果我们躲在避难所里，什么事情都做不成。
我们已经为国家、为我们的人民献出了生命，我们对世界别无他求，只希望世界能以正义和尊严对待我们。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 考虑到我们两国处于战争状态，您现在能站在这里接受我的采访仍然非常令人惊讶。您的石油出口遭到封锁，伊朗的海外账户被冻结，通货膨胀飙升，伊朗经济承受着如此多的制裁。
您竞选时承诺要改善普通民众的经济状况。什么时候这种经济上的痛苦会变得难以承受，迫使您不得不向美国作出让步？
佩泽希基安总统： 您看，这也是参与这场袭击的各国当权者犯下的非人道和野蛮行径。实施这些制裁——如果他们阻断粮食和药品的供应，他们真正针对的是谁？病人、老人、穷人、弱势群体？
他们声称自己是人权的支持者，他们关心人道。如果他们与我们交战，伤害的却是平民，这些平民与这场战争有什么关系？美国正在犯下战争罪。我们在本国所做的事情，我们知道，您所发布的新闻和报道，并没有真实反映现实。
如今我们的人民有尊严地生活着。他们正在忍受苦难。七个月来，人们走上街头，表达他们对美国所作所为的厌恶。美国和以色列在世界上所做的是种族灭绝。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 但恕我直言，世界大国——不仅仅是美国——表示，如果伊朗选择，也就是你们政府选择走不同的道路，放弃拥有核武器的任何野心，他们可以解除部分制裁。
这就是代价。
佩泽希基安总统： 听着——
玛格丽特·布伦南： 那么我们是不是到了需要作出这些让步的时候了？伊朗是否应该表示，未来不会——
佩泽希基安总统： 你们——
玛格丽特·布伦南： ——寻求武器，并允许检查员进入，放弃相关希望——
佩泽希基安总统： 你们知道我们之前进行过对话，我们什么时候说过我们在寻求核武器？
玛格丽特·布伦南： 是的。
佩泽希基安总统： 他们杀害了根据其宗教法令——
（插话混战）
玛格丽特·布伦南： 伊朗一直表示你们没有寻求核武器。但情报机构——
佩泽希基安总统： 发展——发展——核武器是哈拉姆（伊斯兰教法禁止的）。从信仰的角度，而不是从法律的角度。即使伊朗国内有些人有发展核武器的动机，从宗教上讲，他们也不允许走上这条道路。美国来了，杀害了他。我们当时坐下来谈判，已经达成了协议，他们为什么要发动袭击？美国的意图不是解决问题。美国的意图是推翻我们的政府。以色列在他们的讲话中也说了，他们所做的是中立化政府，而不是谈判。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 但您的工作是改善伊朗人民的生活。
佩泽希基安总统： 是的。我们正在尽一切人类所能，但不是通过欺凌和胁迫，企图迫使我们屈服。我们已经在谈判了。为什么他们同时还在袭击我们？
他们有什么权利这么做？我们正在谈判，为什么他们要袭击我们？我们到底犯了什么罪，让他们袭击我们？
玛格丽特·布伦南： 我想——您谈到了平民受到的影响，我想就此问您，因为联合国人权理事会表示，有理由相信美国空袭袭击了明纳布的一所女子学校，造成了您刚才提到的一些儿童死亡。不过同一份报告称，伊朗犯有危害人类罪，因为它对本国抗议者进行了暴力镇压。您是否接受所有这些调查结果？
佩泽希基安总统： 您听说过特朗普先生，也就是你们的总统，发表的演讲吗？他承认武装煽动者上街。您听说过吗？当他们实施制裁，造成社会动荡、问题和制裁时，贫困在某个地方滋生。然后他们雇佣这些人，武装其中一些人。在一场示威活动中有500多名安全和军事人员被杀，显然他们说那只是一场简单的示威，什么样的示威会有500多名安全和军事人员被杀？他们当时在试图发动政变。当政变企图失败后，他们强加了40天的战争。走上街头的就是同一批人。那些走上街头的人——如果这些人真的在寻求人权，在美国的支持下，他们在加沙杀害了7万人，迫使数十万人流离失所。他们在黎巴嫩也是这么做的。人权在哪里？世界的觉醒意识在做什么？
玛格丽特·布伦南： 您公开表态过——您道歉过。您说：“我们为人民感到羞耻，我们有义务协助所有在这些事件中受到伤害的人。”
佩泽希基安总统： 是的。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 您认为本国发生的事情是错误的，这听起来是——
佩泽希基安总统： 您看——
玛格丽特·布伦南： ——抗议者受到了怎样的对待。
佩泽希基安总统： 问题在于我们本应如何处理此事。如果我们处理得当，或许就不会允许那些携带武器的人走上街头。
因为在这一切当中，有些无辜的人被杀害了。有些人确实是在抗议。但那些在街头携带武器的人混杂在其中，他们开始打斗，开始破坏财物，杀害军事人员。这些人不再是普通民众了。
就在这一切过程中，最终发生了本不该发生的问题。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 有两名美国人被认定在伊朗被错误关押。其中一人是记者，被关在埃文监狱——他的名字是雷扎·瓦利扎德。
为什么不释放这些美国人，作为向美国示好的姿态，以重建您所说的已经丧失的信任？
佩泽希基安总统： 您认为释放他们，我们就能重建信任吗？
您认为美国真的有兴趣与我们解决问题吗？那么为什么他们在谈判期间轰炸我们？为什么他们要来杀害我们的科学家、官员和人民？
玛格丽特·布伦南： 为什么不试一下呢？
佩泽希基安总统： 试一下？我们已经试过了。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 作出一个姿态——
佩泽希基安总统： 我们已经试过了。在那之前，美国有几名这样的囚犯，我们释放了他们。双方达成的谅解是他们会解冻我们的资金。我们履行了我们的部分。他们要求的几个人已经被释放了。资金本应从韩国和卡塔尔转移给我们。当我们履行了我们的义务，美国却没有兑现承诺。我们试过了，但没有成功。美国得到了它想要的东西，然后就不遵守承诺了。这就是我们今天的处境。换句话说，我们交出了我们的资金——我们做了美国要求我们做的事情，但美国没有做它应该做的事情。即便如此，我们仍然恪守承诺。我们不想打仗，但当然，如果他们袭击我们，我们会自卫。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 总统先生，我被告知我们的时间到了。但我想再次问您，您会与特朗普总统会面吗？您会采取邀请他访问伊朗这种非同寻常的举措吗？以此来推动问题解决。
佩泽希基安总统： 听着，首先，您知道伊朗的情况。他们对我们、对我们人民所做的一切，让人民极为愤怒。想象一下，如果有人进入你们的国家，暗杀你们的总统、一些高级官员和你们的科学家，如果你们处于我们的位置，你们会怎么做？然而，我们现在就在这里。我们仍然在交谈。我们仍然在参与对话，我们仍然在国际法的框架内提出我们的要求。我们没有要求任何超出这之外的东西。我们不寻求战争。战争是强加给我们的。他们杀害了我国一些最优秀的人才。我们已经将事情书面记录下来。我们签署了协议。我们作出了承诺。让他们履行他们同意的内容，这样我们才能相信这个进程能够奏效。让他们恪守书面约定的内容。然后，我们可以坐下来，密切地恢复谈判。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 伊朗也有针对特朗普总统及其家人的威胁。但你们如何继续前进？如何达成协议？
佩泽希基安总统： 听着，听着，如果在伊朗有人想对那个家庭不利。我们政府并不想主导——如果我们有意这么做，我们就不会坐在谈判桌前。我们就不会坐在一起。有些人说这些话是出于愤怒。他们深感不安。最高领袖不仅仅是政府、总统或政客的领袖。该地区有数千万，也许数亿人信仰并追随我们的领袖。他们杀害了我们的领袖。您看到他们在伊拉克和巴基斯坦做了什么。这是一个信仰问题，因此基于这种信仰，人们无法接受所发生的一切。假设一下，比如说在伊朗有人想要实施暗杀。从政府的角度来看，如果那是我们打算做的事情，我们就不会坐在谈判桌前。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 但您是说，与总统会面在政治上过于困难了。
佩泽希基安总统： 直到信任得以恢复。只要他们不停止每天强加给我们的所作所为，就很难信任他们。每天，他们都在加强对我们的制裁。每天，他们都在威胁我们。每天，他们都在袭击我们。而且他们不恪守他们书面约定的内容。所以如果他们参与谈判，他们真的会遵守承诺吗？他们不恪守他们签署的协议。我们怎么能相信如果我们进行对话，问题就能得到解决？
玛格丽特·布伦南： 总统先生，我的时间到了。感谢您今天抽出时间。尽管您刚才阐述了所有困难，但或许还是有可能达成协议的。
佩泽希基安总统： 我们希望如此，希望该地区能够实现和平。希望美国停止支持以色列，停止我们认为的种族灭绝行为，并基于正义和公平行事。他们不应该驱赶人们离开家园，杀害无辜人民，或是 targeting 儿童、医院和科学家。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 而他们也会对他们的地区邻国和美国提出同样的要求。谢谢。
佩泽希基安总统： 我们与所有邻国都是朋友。是他们将战争强加给我们。我们无意与任何国家发生冲突，我们可以携手合作，共同发展该地区。
玛格丽特·布伦南： 总统先生，感谢您今天抽出时间。
佩泽希基安总统： 谢谢，祝一切顺利。
编者注： 此处指伊斯兰革命周年纪念日。
Transcript: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan”
2026-09-25T21:10:33-0400 / https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-iranian-president-masoud-pezeshkian-face-the-nation-transcript-09-27-2026/
The following is the transcript of the interview with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian airing on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sept. 27, 2026. It was recorded on Sept. 25.
*
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. President, thank you for making the time for us.
PRESIDENT MASOUD PEZESHKIAN: In the name of God, the most gracious and the most merciful, I greet you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Here in New York, Iran’s foreign minister presented a proposal to the United States through mediators that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz after seven days if Tehran’s conditions were met. At that point, talks about ending the war would begin, and possibly talks about the nuclear program. When do you expect to get a response from the United States?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: If this message reaches the President of the United States, or the interviewers and those involved in the discussions, naturally the process will begin from the very day they accept it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What would be the conditions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: We had previously reached an agreement based on the MOU that was signed in Pakistan. I signed it, and the President of the United States signed it, and we were proceeding based on that agreement.
We could have continued it, but unfortunately, because of the lack of coordination, the process was interrupted.
Now, in fact, there is a framework along the same path, with the same objectives that were established. Ultimately, the requests that were included in that memorandum and MOU have now been broken down into stages so that we can proceed according to those stages. If the United States agrees to proceed in that way, everything will return to the way it was before. Because right now, it’s the United States that has blocked our way, and naturally, Iran has also blocked the way from its side. These are things that both sides need to open up first; then we can sit down at the negotiating table and discuss other issues at hand.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, you and President Trump signed this deal back in June, but it fell apart because of the disagreement on the shipping lanes, and then the military, the IRGC, began firing on ships, taking what they called an unauthorized route. Has all that been ironed out? And will Iran charge money for passing through that strait?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: The issue that we had reached an understanding on should, in principle, have been handled according to that understanding. And we are still committed to this MOU and willing to implement it. Naturally, problems may arise along the way. Any process of conflict resolution needs to proceed through dialogue, with some patience and tolerance. But unfortunately, this understanding did not materialize. The deviation from the agreement could have been resolved through dialogue, but ultimately it turned into the breakdown of the understanding. We could have reached this point by talking and resolving the issues. Waiting for a month would not have been difficult. If they had waited for a month, the path would have been reopened automatically in accordance with that understanding, and the remaining stages of the MOU could have continued. But the urgency that developed in the process created a problem.
MARGARET BRENNAN: If President Trump accepts this proposal, can you guarantee your military will abide by it?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Obviously, we will abide by whatever we commit to. What caused the disagreement in this process, and what led to the dispute along this path, was the failure to reach an agreement that they were supposed to honor, but they did not. The routes that we had agreed upon were supposed to be determined between Iran and Oman, with their coordination, for passage and transit. Basically, if a ship was going to pass outside of those routes, it was supposed to coordinate with them. They didn’t, and unfortunately, it led to a confrontation.
If they operate according to that framework, I think all of us will abide by it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, President Trump said he was open to meeting with you when you were here. That didn’t happen. Would you be willing—if you want direct communication—would you be willing to speak directly with him? To meet with him?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: You see what the issue is…now, the atmosphere of distrust that has developed between Iran and the United States is because we have had several rounds of talks with the United States. We reached an understanding on the JCPOA, and after months of negotiations, the U.S. president tore it up, even though we had reached an agreement. Then, after we took responsibility, we sat down and resumed talks with them. In the middle of the negotiations, they attacked us. The bombing began, and the conflict in Iran intensified. Israel came in, and then the United States joined Israel. They martyred many of our commanders and officials, as well as our scientists. Then, after the war, we sat down and resumed talks with them again. Once again, during the talks, they martyred our Supreme Leader, our commanders, and our scientists. They attacked a school and killed and injured innocent children—around 168 schoolchildren who were innocent—and destroyed infrastructure. And after all of that, we sat down and held talks with them again. In the course of those talks, we once again reached an understanding, and once again they broke it. So we are in a situation where we don’t know what language we need to–
MARGARET BRENNAN: So no, you wouldn’t meet with him?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Basically, we need to determine now what exactly we want to reach an understanding on. If we don’t abide by what we have written down as necessary, can we really resolve it through dialogue? We wrote it down and signed it. It’s clear.
The first thing that needs to happen is that the distrust created by this war has to be overcome. We need to abide by what we have written down. The United States needs to show that it does not intend to overthrow our government or our administration. Put yourself in our position. Imagine someone came and martyred your Supreme Leader. And then, not abide by everything you had agreed upon. What would be your reaction? It’s not something that can be resolved that simply.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So the offer that you are making for diplomacy, is it now to begin talks about putting limits on Iran’s nuclear program but not fully abandoning that program?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Of course, we agree. We had already reached an understanding on this in our previous talks.They struck it down, we’re not supposed to develop nuclear weapons. Within the framework of the NPT and the other existing frameworks, all of these issues are matters that can be agreed upon. Unfortunately, they are disregarding the rights that international law grants to all countries.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Under international law, including the Non-Proliferation Treaty your country signed, though, inspectors would be allowed in from the UN. Will you allow them in now to settle those concerns?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: That is absolutely correct. According to those very international laws, when there are nuclear centers under the inspections and auspices of the IAEA within the NPT framework, no country has the legal right to attack those nuclear centers and sites. But America and Israel carried out the act of attacking them. Now the agency itself, rather than its strong condemnation, showed absolutely no reaction. Why is it that centers and sites that were completely under their unprecedented surveillance and inspections regime, perhaps they had the most surveillance on those centers. We had no deviation from that framework. Why did they attack it in the first place?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, the IAEA said they were not being given full access. UN inspectors weren’t being allowed in. They said they couldn’t guarantee the peaceful nature of your program, and say now you have 440 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium. So they want to be able to verify that that won’t be made into a weapon. Will your country allow in weapons inspectors now?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: That is absolutely correct.
This occurred after America chose to tear up the JCPOA. Iran waited for one year in order for the European counterparts to live up to their commitments within the JCPOA. They failed to do so.
Iran left the JCPOA and continued on the path that it saw fit.
Now, if they wish to come in and have inspections, we can reach accords and agreements vis-à-vis that specific topic within the negotiations. Not for them now to come and inspect those existing frameworks again.
MARGARET BRENNAN: For this new negotiation now–
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. So there has been a lot that has changed. There is now a new Supreme Leader. How often do you consult with him, and what decisions has he made?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: You see, thus far I have met with the Supreme Leader on two occasions, we’ve had encounters. And there is also a process that unfortunately, now, with this situation that exists in the country created by the Israelis and Americans. I mean, they have created an unrest in the process of the managers, they have in fact created a terrorist government. Israel, for any country, whoever it wants, with the capabilities that it has and with the support that America gives it, comes and assassinates them. Then the people that they assassinate, they call them terrorists. The kids who were studying in school were terrorists, our Supreme Leader is a terrorist, the scientists who were performing scientific work at the university were terrorists. They very easily come and assassinate, then they get up and leave, then they tell the world, “we are fighting terrorists.”
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you saying this because you’re explaining why we haven’t seen the Supreme Leader now? No pictures have been seen of him since he came to power in March–
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: One of the reasons that exists is that, in any case, they are, within the framework of the process, looking to find the sites, whenever they want. We were having talks, they assassinated them. Again, there is no point in talking again for them to come and assassinate them. I mean, there is no security and no guarantee that they will stop these assassinations of theirs. We were talking with each other, if we have those same talks now, it’s not clear whether they will come and assassinate them again or not.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But I’m asking you about the new Supreme Leader because there are questions about how your government is functioning right now.
When you met, you said twice with the Supreme Leader. What did you ask him for? Did you ask his permission to come here to America?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Well, see, coming to America doesn’t necessarily require a permission, as you put it. We have informed them that we are coming. Our trips are at the volition of the government.
Of course, within the framework of conducting the affairs of the office that we occupy, we are free to travel as deemed necessary. The political frameworks, also now, this is what we are saying — the clauses that exist: seven days from now this will happen, five days from now this will happen. The coordination has taken shape. If America accepts this understanding, it will begin, and we will not have a problem.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You said you met twice with the Supreme Leader. You’re a doctor by training. You’re a physician. What did you make of his recovery from the injuries he sustained in the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed his father and his family?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: No, there’s no specific ongoing health issues or challenges. On the last occasion when we met for seven-plus hours, of course we were not used to being in seated positions for those many hours. We changed angles and positions, we crossed our legs and so on. But, of course, he was healthy enough to be able to withstand those hours of that situation. From a medical standpoint, he’s completely healthy. Hear this from me as a physician, and accept it. He has no issues. They targeted an entire family—about whom they kept saying they’re living underground, they’re escaping, they’re in hiding. How is it that they claim the high ground when it comes to human rights and humanity?
MARGARET BRENNAN: But the Supreme Leader, you said, was able to conduct this meeting. He has- his legs and his face have recovered?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: He was able to sit on the ground?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Did he advise you on this diplomacy? Does he want a deal with the United States?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Everything that we spoke of and about and had discussions about were shaped through coordination.
There is a team that has been put in place in Iran, consisting of six members of various organizations, security forces, parliamentary representatives, government agencies, and they sit and conduct talks, consultations about decision-making processes, and reach any decisions through coordination.
This has taken place quite comfortably in our country.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I ask because it’s extraordinary you are here. You are the first foreign leader to visit the United States during the U.N. — during an active war.
A few months ago you were sheltering from those U.S. and Israeli strikes that you’re talking about. And yet you’re here in New York City with a U.S. visa right now. And American security is protecting you.
Why did you think coming here was worth the risk?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: We were not in a shelter a few months ago. How did we manage the country- we- we–
MARGARET BRENNAN: From the airstrikes from the U.S. and Israel?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: We were only not within the target range. I was going to perhaps three ministries every day and conducted meetings with the ministers. During what was happening, around the twenty second of Bahman*, or in these matters, I was in the streets. It’s not as if we were in a shelter. If we were in a shelter, nothing would have gotten done.
We have put our lives on the line for the nation, for our people, we don’t want anything from the world other than for the world to treat us with justice and dignity.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It is still extraordinary you are standing here right now and talking to me. Given that our two countries are at war. Your oil exports are blockaded, your foreign accounts are frozen for Iran, inflation has skyrocketed, Iran’s economy is under so many sanctions.
You ran on trying to improve the economy for everyday people. At what point does all of this financial pain become too much and you have to make concessions to the United States?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: You see, this is also an inhumane and savage act committed by those who are in power in the various countries that are participating in this attack. With the imposed sanctions- if they block access to food and medication, who are they truly targeting? The sick, the elderly, the indigent, the downtrodden?
They claim that they’re proponents of human rights, they think about humanity. If they’re at war with us or noncivilians, what business do these people have with civilians? What the U.S. is committing is a war crime. What we do in our country, we know, for the news that you’re distributing, and the reports that you share, it’s not a true reflection of reality.
Right now our people are living with dignity. They are enduring hardship. For seven months, people have been taking to the streets and expressing their disgust with what America is doing. And what America and Israel are doing in the world is genocide.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But respectfully, the world powers—not just the United States—are saying they could lift some of those sanctions if Iran chooses, your government chooses, to go in a different direction and give up any ambition to have a nuclear weapon.
That’s the cost.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Look–
MARGARET BRENNAN: So are we at that point where those concessions need to be made? Where Iran says, I will not in the future–
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: You–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –pursue a weapon, and allow in inspectors and give up hopes—
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Are you aware of the previous conversations that we’ve conducted when did we ever say that we are seeking nuclear weapons?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: They have martyred a Supreme Leader that according to his clerical decree–
CROSSTALK
MARGARET BRENNAN: Iran has always said you’re not seeking a nuclear weapon. Intelligence agencies–
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Developing- developing- nuclear weapons is haram. From a standpoint of belief, not from a legal perspective. Even if some individuals in Iran may have the incentive to develop nuclear weapons, religiously speaking, they are not allowed to pursue that path. America came and killed it. We were sitting and talking and we had reached an agreement, why did they attack? America’s intention is not to resolve the issue. America’s intention is to overthrow our administration. Israel says it in their own speech, what they’re doing is neutralizing the government, not negotiating.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But your job is to improve the lives of the Iranian people.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Yes. We are doing everything humanly possible, but not through bullying and coercion intended to force us into submission. We’re already negotiating. Why are they concurrently attacking us?
According to what logic do they have the right to do so? We’re negotiating, why do they attack us? What sin did we commit for them to attack us?
MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to—You’ve talked about the civilian impact, and I’d like to ask you about that because the U.N. Human Rights Council says there are grounds to believe that U.S. airstrikes were responsible for hitting that girls’ school in Minab that killed some of the children that you have referred to here. That very same report, though, says Iran’s guilty of crimes against humanity for violent crackdowns on your own people—on your own protesters. Do you accept all of those findings?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: The speech given by Mr. Trump, your own president, in which he admitted to arming instigators to take to the streets, have you heard of it or not heard of it? When they cause sanctions, when they cause social upheavals, problems and sanctions, poverty grows in one place. Then they hire these people and they have armed some of them. More than 500 security and military forces in a demonstration, apparently they say it was a simple demonstration, in what demonstration 500 security and military forces get murdered? They were attempting a coup. When that coup attempt failed, they imposed the 40 day war. It’s the same people who are in the streets. Those people who are in this way- if these people are really seeking human rights, in Gaza with the support of the US they have killed 70,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. They’re doing this in Lebanon. Where is human rights? What is the awakened consciousness of the world doing?
MARGARET BRENNAN: You said publicly—you apologized. You said, “We are ashamed before the people, and we are obligated to assist all those who were harmed in those incidents.”
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You saw what happened in your own country as wrong, that’s the way that sounds–
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: You see–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –how those protesters were treated.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: The issue is how we should have dealt with this. If we had handled it correctly, perhaps we would not have allowed those who had taken up arms to come into the streets.
Because in the midst of all this, some innocent people were killed. There were people who were genuinely protesting. But those who were carrying weapons in the streets had mixed in with them, and they started the fighting, began destroying things, and killed members of the military. These were no longer ordinary people.
And it was in the course of all this that, ultimately, a problem occurred that should not have occurred.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There are two Americans determined to be wrongfully detained in Iran. One of them is a journalist in Evin prison—his name is Reza Valizadeh.
Why not release the Americans as a sign of goodwill towards the United States to rebuild the trust you say is lost?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Do you think by setting them free, we can rebuild trust?
Do you think the United States of America is genuinely interested in solving problems with us? Why, then, does it bomb us in the middle of negotiations? Why does it come and kill our scientists, officials and people?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Why not test it?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Test it? We’ve done it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Make a gesture—
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: We have done it. Before that, the United States had several of these prisoners and we released them. The understanding was that they would release our money. We did our part. Several of the people they had asked for were released. The money came from South Korea and Qatar was supposed to transfer it to us. When we did our part, the United States did not follow through. We tested it, but it didn’t work. The United States gets what it wants and then doesn’t honor its commitment. That’s the situation we have today. In other words, we gave our money- we did what the United States asked us to do, but the United States did not do what it was supposed to do. Even now, we remain committed. We don’t want to fight, but certainly, if they strike us, we will defend ourselves.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. President, I’m told we are out of time. But just to ask you again, would you meet with President Trump? Would you take the extraordinary measure of inviting him to Iran? Something to bring this to a conclusion.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Look, first of all, you know what the situation is like in Iran. What they have done to us, to our people, has made people extremely upset. Imagine if someone came into your country and assassinated your president, some of your top officials, and your scientists, if you were in our position, what would you do? And yet, here we are. We’re still talking. We’re still engaging in dialogue and we’re still making our demands within the framework of international law. We’re not asking for anything more than that. We’re not seeking war. War was imposed on us. They martyred some of the best people in our country. We have put things in writing. We’ve signed agreements. We’ve made commitments. Let them implement what they agreed to so that we can have confidence that this process can work. Let them abide by what was written. And then, we can sit down closely and resume negotiations.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There are threats against President Trump and his family from Iran as well. But how do you move on? How do you get to a deal?
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Look, look, if in Iran think if something happens to the family. We in the government do not want to dominate- if we intended to do so, we wouldn’t be sitting at the negotiating table. We wouldn’t have sat together. The fact that some people are saying these things is coming from indignation. They’re deeply upset. The Supreme Leader is not simply a leader of the government, the president, or a politician. There are tens of millions, perhaps hundreds of millions of people in the region who believe in and follow our leader. They martyred our leader. You saw what they did in Iraq and Pakistan. This is a matter of faith, so based on that faith, people can’t accept what was done. Hypothetically speaking, let’s say in Iran they want to assassinate. From the standpoint of the government, if that were what we intended to do, we would not be sitting at the negotiating table.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But you’re saying it’s too politically difficult to meet with the president, then.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Until trust is restored. As long as they don’t cease doing what they’re imposing on us everyday, it’s difficult to trust them. Everyday, they increase the sanctions against us. Everyday, they threaten us. Everyday, they strike us. And they don’t honor what they have put in writing. So if they engage in talks, will they actually follow through? They don’t honor what they’ve signed. How can we believe that if we talk the problem would get resolved?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. President, I am out of time here. We appreciate your time today. And perhaps a deal can be reached despite everything you just laid out.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: We hope that happens and peace is established in the region. And that the United States stops supporting Israel, which is carrying out what we consider genocide and acts on the basis of justice and fairness. They should not drive people from their homes, kill innocent people, or target children, hospitals, and scientists.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And they would say the same to their regional neighbors and to the United States. Thank you.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: We’re all friends with our neighbors. They have inflicted the war on us. We have no intentions of having any conflict, we can join hands and develop the region.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. President, thank you for your time today.
PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN: Thank you, all the best.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This refers to the Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution