Full Breakdown
Iranian President Urges United States to Decide End of War
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Core Event
The following day, a Fox News interview scheduled for September 24 aired Pezeshkian’s remarks, reiterating the same stance and emphasizing Iran’s readiness to negotiate a settlement with the United States.
Background & Context
The conflict began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched attacks on Iranian territory, prompting Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf-state bases hosting U.S. troops. Since then, the war has expanded to include Israeli operations in Lebanon and U.S.–Israeli strikes that, according to reporting, have caused civilian casualties and large-scale displacement. President Donald Trump has repeatedly shifted his war objectives, at times threatening to “annihilate” Iran while also suggesting that a diplomatic agreement could be reached soon.
Timeline
- February 28 (occurred) – U.S. and Israel initiate attacks on Iran; Iran responds with strikes on Israel and Gulf-state bases.
- September 23 (occurred) – President Pezeshkian speaks at the UN General Assembly, rejecting any “bend at the knee” to Washington.
- September 24 (scheduled) – Fox News airs Pezeshkian’s interview in which he repeats the call for U.S. action.
Official Statements & Responses
- Masoud Pezeshkian: Stated that Iran “does not wish to continue” the fighting and that the decision to end the war rests with the United States. He also noted that Iran is prepared to strike a deal with President Trump if the U.S. pursues negotiations within “international legal frameworks.”
- Donald Trump: In public comments, the U.S. president warned that he could “annihilate” Iran if no settlement is reached, while simultaneously indicating that an agreement might be possible in the near term.
- Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, met with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner on the sidelines of the UN session; the talks did not produce an immediate breakthrough.
- U.S. and Saudi officials: Accused Iran of backing Yemen’s Houthi militants, who have launched ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia and imposed a naval blockade affecting Red Sea oil shipments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But we do not wish to continue. It's America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not,” — Masoud Pezeshkian, iranian president
Why It Matters
The president’s public demand places diplomatic pressure on Washington ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, suggesting that any U.S. decision—whether to pursue a negotiated settlement or continue military pressure—will have immediate geopolitical ramifications. Continued hostilities have already disrupted Red Sea shipping, raising global energy prices and affecting the economies of major oil exporters such as Saudi Arabia.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- No independent verification is provided for casualty figures or the extent of Iranian support for the Houthi movement.
- The outcome of the meeting between Iran’s foreign minister and the U.S. envoy remains unclear, with sources reporting no immediate breakthrough.