'Israeli Plot to Kill Me Failed,' Says Pezeshkian

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson that there was an attempt on his life, attributing the failed assassination plot to Israel, amid heightened tensions in the region.

Speaking in an extensive one-on-one conversation aired on Monday, President Pezeshkian stated, "They did try. Yes. And, they acted accordingly, but, they failed." He added, "As a true believer, I believe that it is in the hands of the God Almighty to determine when a person will die or will not die."

He described the circumstances of the attempt, explaining that Israeli intelligence allegedly obtained information about a meeting he was attending and attempted to strike the location. "We were discussing the ways to move forward, but, thanks to the intelligence by the spies that they had, they tried to bombard the area that we were holding that meeting," Pezeshkian told Carlson.

Pezeshkian emphasized his willingness to sacrifice himself for Iran, asserting that neither he nor any Iranian official fears martyrdom. "We are not afraid of martyrdom. We are not afraid of sacrificing our lives for our people, for our independence."

The president linked the failed assassination attempt to what he described as a broader campaign by Israel to sabotage diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States. He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of torpedoing peace talks. "We were sitting at the negotiating table when it happened. And by doing this, they totally ruined and destroyed diplomacy."

Throughout the interview, Pezeshkian insisted that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons and remains committed to dialogue and peaceful coexistence. He stated that Iran's nuclear policy is governed by a religious fatwa forbidding the development of atomic bombs. "We have never been after developing a nuclear bomb, not in the past, not presently, or in the future," he said, emphasizing the Supreme Leader’s religious ruling.

On the matter of nuclear inspections, Pezeshkian acknowledged that cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been strained following attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Nonetheless, he said, "We are ready to hold talks over it... we stand ready to have these supervisions," while noting that damaged facilities currently limit the possibility of inspections.

When asked if Iran would restart diplomacy with the U.S., Pezeshkian affirmed his openness to negotiations but expressed deep skepticism about American intentions given past disruptions. "How are we going to trust The United States again?... how can we know for sure that, in the middle of the talks, the Israeli regime will not be given the permission again to attack us?"

Regarding reports of sleeper cells among Iranians in the U.S., Pezeshkian dismissed the idea as unfounded propaganda. "The Iranians are known for their knowledge, for their science, for their courtesy, for being civilized. Have you seen otherwise?"

He also denied accusations of Iranian involvement in any assassination attempts against U.S. President Donald Trump, calling such claims fabrications by Netanyahu aimed at dragging the U.S. into a wider regional conflict. "Netanyahu... wants to drag the U.S. into forever wars... to bring more insecurity, instability, and unrest to the whole region."

Asked about Iran's relations with Israel prior to the Islamic Revolution, Pezeshkian blamed Israel's actions in Gaza and the broader region for the breakdown in ties. "This is nothing short of a full-scale genocide... they have blocked the entry of food and medicine, to Gaza," he said.

The president expressed a vision of future economic and diplomatic engagement with the U.S., stating that the Iranian Supreme Leader supports U.S. investment in Iran. "There has never been any limitation... this is the belief of the supreme leader of Iran," Pezeshkian said, adding that U.S. sanctions are the real obstacle.

Finally, when asked if Iran would turn to Russia and China in the event of a broader conflict, Pezeshkian said, "We have always put our trust in God... we are capable enough to defend ourselves."

The interview marks the first sit-down with an American journalist since Pezeshkian assumed the presidency. It comes amid heightened regional instability, Israeli-Iranian hostilities, and increasing international scrutiny over Iran's nuclear and security policies.

You can read the full transcript of the Tucker Carlson interview with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian below:

Tucker Carlson: Mister president, thank you very much for doing this. There is a pause or seems to be a pause in the war between The United States and Iran. How do you think this will end? How would you like to see it end?

Pezeshkian: We did not start this war, and we do not want this war to continue in any way. From the very beginning, it was the motto of my administration that I've always adhered to, and that was fostering the national unity inside the country and also fostering peace and tranquility and friendship with the neighboring countries and with the rest of the world.

Tucker Carlson: The, American president Donald Trump has said that The United States bombed your enrichment facilities because the government of Iran refused to give up its nuclear program, and that there can be no peace until Iran does give up that nuclear program, would you be willing to give up the nuclear program in exchange for peace?

Pezeshkian: I would like to tell you, what has happened. And it was Netanyahu since 1984 has created this false mentality that Iran seeks a nuclear bomb, and it has insinuated that Iran is trying to, develop a nuclear bomb in the past, and it has put it, in the minds, of every US president since then and to make them believe that we would like to have a nuclear bomb. But the truth is that we have never been after developing a nuclear bomb, not in the past, not presently, or in the future. Because this is, wrong and this is in contrast to the religious decree or the fatwa, which has been issued by His Eminence, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Of Iran, that so it is religiously forbidden for us to go after a nuclear bomb. And this was always, corroborated thanks to our cooperation with IAEA because they were always there that to verify this and to substantiate that we have never wanted a nuclear bomb. But unfortunately, this cooperation was disturbed by the unlawful attacks against our nuclear facilities.

Tucker Carlson: So you have, according to news reports, withdrawn your cooperation from IAEA, the International Nuclear Regulatory Agency. And so there's, I I suppose, no way for the rest of the world to know how much uranium you're enriching and to what extent, to what percentage is being enriched. And so is there any way to verify, and would you be willing to allow other nations to verify that you are not building nuclear weapons?

Pezeshkian: Mister Carlson, sir, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that we were right in the middle of holding talks with The United States. And, the president of The United States invited us to hold such talks in order to have peace. And we were told, during the process of these negotiations and talks that, as long as we don't give the permission to the to Israel, they are not going to attack you. And we were going to have the next round of the talks, very soon, But in the middle of it, suddenly, Israel torpedoed the negotiating table. We were sitting at the negotiating table when it happened. And by doing this, they totally ruined and destroyed diplomacy. But and, in order to answer your question, which regards to the surveillance or the supervision over our nuclear program, I would like to say that we are we are ready to hold talks over it. We have never been the party that has, run away from verification. We stand ready to, to have these supervisions. But unfortunately, the as a result of The United States unlawful attacks against our nuclear centers and installations, many of the pieces of equipment and the facilities there have been severely damaged. Therefore, we don't have any access to them. We cannot we cannot see, and unless this access, is going to be back there again, we have to wait for it and to see what happens and how much they have been damaged so that we can go for the supervision.

Tucker Carlson: There have been, news reports that you believe your government believes that the IAEA was spying on the government of Iran and passing information to Israel. Do you believe that? And if so, do you have evidence that that's true that the world could see?

Pezeshkian: I would like to tell you that, we were, yes, somehow pessimistic about the activities of the IAEA, because somehow we realized that Israel get information from the inspections which were carried out by the IAEA, but it never prevented the IAEA from carrying out their activities inside Iran, and they had full access to supervise and to have surveillance over our nuclear facilities. But, there was this lack of, trust, as the result of the last, reports by IAEA. The type of the reports and the way they prepared the report somehow gave an excuse to the Israeli regime and prepared the ground for their unlawful and unauthorized attack against our nuclear facilities. And, even after that, the IAEA failed to condemn these attacks or try to anyway, to stop them. And this, ran counter to the international law. And this resulted in a widespread, lack of trust among the Iranians, Iranian legislators, and the public opinion here.

Tucker Carlson: You've suggested that you were anxious to resolve your conflicts with The United States through diplomacy and that that was derailed by war. Would you be willing to restart diplomacy? And could you tell us in general but precise terms the kind of deal you would be willing to accept?

Pezeshkian: You see, I am, of the belief that we could very much easily, resolve our differences and conflicts with the with The United States, through dialogue and talks. And, you know, the international law would serve as the framework or the basis for a for a deal, in which, the rights of all nations, Iranian nation, would be respected. But, unfortunately, it was Netanyahu that destroyed, this this diplomacy and this efforts, diplomatic efforts. We have always, we never wanted anything beyond the respect for our rights, rightful rights enshrined in in international, law. But as I said, it was Netanyahu that wanted that brought unrest to our region and is fomenting, unrest and tensions in the region. As I have always said, we have always been after, peace. It has been my motto. It has been my belief. It has been my heartfelt opinion that we need to live in peace and harmony during this short and limited time granted to us by God Almighty to live in peace and tranquility with everybody, and everybody in the world should live like that. But, I would also like, on the other hand, to reiterate that our people are capable enough to defend themselves in self defense, during any kind of attack. And I believe that The United States president can very well guide the region and the world to peace and tranquility, or on the other hand, to lead it to forever wars.

Tucker Carlson: Do you have plans to reenter negotiations with The United States, with envoy Steve Witkoff or anyone else? And if not, what do you think will happen?

Pezeshkian: We see no problem, in, reentering, the negotiations. But before that, I have to remind you that, because of the atrocities by the Zionist regime, by Israel, not just against my country, but in the whole region, we are now facing a crisis. The people are facing a crisis that we need to put it behind ourselves. Our commanders were off duty. They were spending the night at their homes with their families, but they were killed, and this is considered a war crime according to the international law because they were off duty, as I said, for our scientists were also killed and assassinated along with their families, and, the wives and their children. They were also, killed, pregnant women, children. They were they were killed in the atrocities, in the attacks of the Israeli regime. Just because they wanted to kill one single person, they had to demolish and destroy, a whole building. And as a result of this, a lot of innocent people were killed. A lot of people were killed and as I said, there is this crisis that we have to, put it behind ourselves. And there is a condition. We, there is a provision for the restarting the talks. How are we going to trust The United States again? We reenter the negotiations, then, how can we know for sure that, in the middle of the talks, the Israeli regime will not be given the permission again to attack us.

Tucker Carlson: Do you believe the Israeli government tried to assassinate you?

Pezeshkian: They did try. Yes. And, they acted accordingly, but, they failed. And as a true believer, I believe that it is in the hands of the God Almighty to determine when a person, will die or will not die. If he if he wills, the god almighty wills, then you can die when you are walking freely in the streets. And, but I would like to tell you that, I am not afraid of, sacrificing myself for in in in in defense of my country and in in safeguarding and defending the sovereignty, the freedom and the independence of my country. I'm willing to give my life, to give blood for that and nobody here, and I mean none of the, government officials is afraid of losing their lives, in line of defense. But, will it bring security to the region? I mean, bloodshed, more bloodshed, assassination, killing others. Will it bring peace and tranquility and stability to the region?

Tucker Carlson: With respect, can you tell us how you know that you were an assassination target? I a week and a half ago, I don't believe I've seen that confirmed anywhere. How are you certain they tried to kill you?

Pezeshkian: Of course, it was not The US that, that was behind my, the attempt on my life. It was Israel. We I was in a meeting. We were discussing, the ways to move forward, but, thanks to the intelligence by the spies that they had, they tried to, bombard the area that we were holding that meeting, in which we were holding that meeting. But as I told you before, it is, God who wills when a person, will die and give up his life. And, once again, I would like to emphasize that, we are not afraid of martyrdom. We are not afraid of, sacrificing our lives for our people, for our independence. And I would like to tell you that this imposed war by the Israeli regime, resulted in one thing, and that was more solidarity and unity amongst the Iranian people. And it proved yet once again that the Iranian people, no matter where they are in in the whole wide world, they do care about their country, about the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of their motherland. And as I said, this brought about more solidarity and it united us further, thanks to this act of aggression by the Israeli regime. My proposal is that the, the, the US administration should refrain from getting involved in a war that is not, it's, it's war, that is not America's war. It is, Netanyahu's war that, is having its devilish machinations, for the whole region. It has its own agenda. He has its own agenda. Netanyahu, I mean, inhuman agenda and that that is having forever wars. Wars, that go on and on and on. And this is my proposal to The United States, not to be fooled by Netanyahu, not to be dragged into this kind of war.

Tucker Carlson: Many Americans are afraid of Iran. You say you're not afraid, but Americans are afraid of Iran, and they believe that Iran would like to strike The United States with a nuclear weapon. They see video of Iranians saying death to America, describing our country as the great Satan. What is your opinion of that? Should we be afraid of Iran?

Pezeshkian: I believe that this is, a very wrong impression that anybody might have of Iran or the Iranians. I would like to re remind you that Iran has never invaded, another country in the last two hundred years. When they say death to The United States, it doesn't mean death to. They don't mean death to the people of The United States or even to the officials of The United States. They mean death to crimes, death to killing and carnage, death to supporting, killing others, death to insecurity and instability. This is have you, ever heard that an Iranian, killing an American? Have you ever heard that? Or a terrorist that was Iranian and he carried out a terrorist attack against the Americans? No. It was, it was your president who confessed that the Americans created, the ISIS in our region, and they were responsible for this wrong, image that is portrayed of religion or the Muslims in in the world. And, once again, I would like to tell you and remind you that this is not death to the American people or to the officials. Death to crimes and atrocities, to bullying, to the use of force. And, anybody who would like to become an accomplice in the in the crimes perpetrated by others.

Tucker Carlson: Two Iranian Ayatollahs have issued fatwas against Donald Trump. What does that mean exactly, and what do you think of it?

Pezeshkian: To the best of my knowledge, they have not issued decrees or fatwas, against any individual or against Donald Trump. And, and first off, it has nothing to do, with the Iranian government or to his eminent supreme leader of Iran. What they actually meant by the fatwa was the, in condemnation of an insult to, a religion or religious personalities. And they were actually saying that this is deplorable, this is unacceptable. So it was not directed, towards The US president or any other individual, and there might be people with their own ideas and opinions, but I can assure you that the meaning of this fatwa should not be construed or considered as a threat against any individual.

Tucker Carlson: Has Iran ever backed as an assassination attempt against Donald Trump?

Pezeshkian: This is actually what, Netanyahu is trying to insinuate and to make, your people or the president of your country to believe. But this is wrong because Netanyahu, as I said, has its own agenda. It wants to drag The US into forever wars, as I said, and to bring more in insecurity, instability, and unrest to the whole region.

Tucker Carlson: We there are, a number, some large number of Iranian nationals living in The United States. Some have said they are, quote, sleeper cells. They are terrorists who are acting at the command of your government. Would you, right now, make a statement to Iranian citizens living in The United States not to commit acts of violence in The United States?

Pezeshkian: You see, this these things you're telling me. First time I'm hearing them from you or from anybody. Have you know? The Iranians are known for their knowledge, for their science, for their courtesy, for being civilized. Have you seen otherwise from them any other kind of behavior from them, or any violent behavior? Has anybody ever seen anything from them? Yeah. And as I said, this is what Israel is trying to put in into your minds. You're propagating that that Iranians might be capable of doing such a thing, but this is totally untrue, because by nature, Iranians are pro peace and tranquility. And, they're trying to, actually, make, to somehow impact the minds of the decision makers and the people of The United States and to scare them into getting involved in a war in my region, that is not going to ensure any kind of interest for The United States. It is not to be in the interest of The United States to be involved in any kind of war in my region.

Tucker Carlson:  It wasn't that long ago. It was during the revolutionary period in Iran that Iran had relations with Israel and commercial relations with Israel and reputedly bought weapons from Israel. What happened? How did that change? Who changed it and why, that relationship?

Pezeshkian: You know, Israel itself is to blame, because just look at what they have been doing in the in the in the last couple of years in Palestine, in Gaza, what Netanyahu has been doing, killing, women and children, bombing schools and hospitals and civilian and residential areas. This is not nothing short of, a full scale genocide there. They have blocked the entry of food and medicine, to Gaza. So this has adversely impacted the way my country and the whole region looks at Israel and this I mean, the their own behavior and their own actions are to blame because this is unacceptable what they have been doing in my region. And, as for us, I know we have never received any kind of, weapon from Israel. And I would like to tell you, even at that time, we did not want to have weapons. We did not want to have wars. We did not want to fight the Iraqis. It was the war that was imposed on us. And, just like the way that, this, war was imposed on us by the Israeli regime, we did not attack Israel. They attacked us.

Tucker Carlson:   Can you imagine, at the end of the diplomatic exchange with The United States, a world in which American companies invest again in Iran, sanctions are lifted, there is peace in the region. Is that your goal, and do you think it's possible?

Pezeshkian: You know, from the very beginning of my administration, I first tried to, have the, domestic, solidarity and, unity, further unity amongst the Iranian people. Then we tried to have the better relations with our, neighboring with our neighbors, neighboring countries of Iran. And then I had this talk with his eminence, the supreme leader of Iran, and during which, his eminence, emphasized that there is no limitation and, there is nothing preventing, The US investors to come to Iran and to make investments in Iran even, presently. And, it there has never been any limitation, anything barring them from, coming into Iran, and this is the belief of the supreme leader of Iran. And, but once again, I would like to tell you that it is Israel that does not want such things to happen in the region. The, Israel does not want to see peace and tranquility in the region. But I would like to once again repeat that. The United States president, mister Trump, is, he is capable enough to guide the region towards a peace and a brighter future and put Israel in its place or get in get into a pit, an endless pit or a swamp. And that is a war that Netanyahu wants The United States or The US president to be dragged into. So it is up to The United States president to choose, which path that I told you about. And as I told you, there is nothing preventing the commercial or industrial, or economic activities by The US, business people and investors. And of course, if there was a limitation, it was caused by The US sanctions, not by us.

Tucker Carlson: Mister President, my final question. If, we wind up in a in a broader war, could Iran could you expect assistance from Russia and China, military and economic assistance from your allies, Russia and China?

Pezeshkian: We have always, put our trust in god, and, in god we trust. And we have, we are capable enough to defend ourselves and to stand on our own two feet and to defend our country, our territorial integrity to, the last drop of our blood. As I have said again and again, we don't want wars. We don't want to develop a nuclear weapon. And this this this this, false image, this wrong mentality created in the minds of The US, decision makers and officials is because of the devilish machinations instigated by Netanyahu and the Israeli regime and, its policies based on warmongering. And, the US president should know that another war will only spread more instability in The Middle East. And, it is not going to be in the, in the interest or in favor of the US president or the US government to move in that or towards that direction. They they instead need to choose peace and tranquility, which is something that I am and my government and my country, are after. And I also as I said, I believe that the US president is, is powerful enough to put Israel to to to Netanyahu in their place to contain them and replace the warmongering bloodshed and conflicts with peace and tranquility.

Tucker Carlson:   Mister President, thank you for taking the time to explain your perspective. I appreciate it.

Pezeshkian: Thank you very much for, providing me with, an opportunity to tell you about what is going on in my mind and in my heart, and I hope that, peace and tranquility will prevail, not just, for the people of The United States, for The US officials, but for the whole world and especially the people of my region. And, thank you again.

You can watch the interview below.