Zionist regime must not be allowed to attack Iran again, ignite new war

Pezeshkian made the remarks in a virtual interview with American commentator and conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson, which was released on Monday.

“We have no problem with negotiation. But the atrocities Israel has committed in the region and against our country, and its war crimes…have caused a crisis,” he said.

The president said that returning to the negotiating table has a prerequisite, which is based on a confidence-building attitude.

“Israel must not be allowed to attack again right in the middle of talks and ignite a new war,” Pezeshkian stated.

The Zionist regime launched a blatant and unprovoked act of aggression against Iran on June 13, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders and nuclear scientists in addition to civilians.

On June 22, the United States officially joined the war against Iran by launching attacks on three nuclear facilities in the country in violation of the United Nations Charter and the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The Zionist regime’s strikes came as Iran and the United States had held five rounds of indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, over Iran’s nuclear program since April and were preparing to hold fresh talks in the Omani capital on June 15.

In his interview, Pezeshkian said Iran has not started any war and does not wish for any war to continue.

“From the day I assumed responsibility, my motto has been to foster unity at home and establish peace and tranquility with our neighbors and the world,” he added.

The Iranian president pointed to Israel’s misinformation campaign against Iran that goes back decades. He pointed out that Prime Minister Netanyahu is falsely portraying Iran as seeking nuclear weapons and has sold this lie to every US president.

“We have never pursued nuclear weapons, are not pursuing them, and will never pursue them,” the Iranian president emphasized, insisting on a religious decree (fatwa) from Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

He reiterated Iran’s full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency but expressed regret that the IAEA’s recent conduct disrupted bilateral cooperation.

The Iranian president said dialogue within a framework based on international law and the rights of states can help resolve issues.

“We have had — and continue to have — no demand other than respect for international law. It is Netanyahu who has thrown the region into chaos and attempted to torpedo dialogue.”

He said Iran seeks peace and believes that human beings must live together in peace and harmony.

“But we were attacked. Our nation has the ability to defend itself. I believe the US president has a choice: to move the region toward peace and security or to drag it into forever wars,” Pezeshkian stated.

Elsewhere in his interview, the Iranian president said the Israeli regime attempted to assassinate him during the 12 days of aggression against Iran.

“We are ready to defend our people, our independence, and the freedom of our land to the last breath, and we are not afraid of death.”

He explained that efforts to assassinate him were “carried out by Israel and not by the United States.” Pezeshkian said he and other senior Iranian officials were in an internal meeting when the Israeli regime bombed the building, using information gathered by its spies.

It is truly disgraceful, the Iranian president stated, that the world is witnessing destabilizing actions in the region such as bloodletting, murder, looting, and evil illusions.