Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stern warning to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, cautioning against actions that could escalate into war, particularly if Washington endorses Israeli military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In an exclusive interview with NBC News on Tuesday, Pezeshkian urged Trump to prioritize peace, stating, “I do hope that Trump will contribute to peace in the region and the world, not, conversely, contribute to bloodshed or war. We will react to any action. We do not fear war, but we do not seek it.”
The United States and Iran have had no formal diplomatic relations for nearly 45 years. Relations further soured after the U.S., under Trump’s administration, unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The agreement, signed between Iran and world powers—including France, Britain, and Germany—had eased international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear activities.
Following the withdrawal, Washington reimposed stringent sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually scale back its compliance with the accord. Despite accusations from Western nations of pursuing nuclear weapons, Iranian officials maintain that their nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes.
“We do not seek to create nuclear weaponry or armament,” Pezeshkian emphasized. “However, they accuse us of seeking the manufacturing of a bomb.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, reported that European powers are serious about resuming negotiations to salvage the nuclear agreement.
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