Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned during an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier in New York that Tehran will respond decisively if the United States continues military actions, while maintaining that Iran does not seek war. The exchange occurred on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where bilateral tensions over maritime control and stalled diplomatic frameworks remained a central focus.
Military Escalation and Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Hostilities between Washington and Tehran escalated significantly following clashes near the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the Iranian military announced retaliatory strikes against sites utilized by U.S. forces in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran and the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a joint statement warning that any subsequent attacks from Washington would trigger a much harsher response and vowing to target any regional facilities used to stage U.S. operations.
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Diplomatic Stalemate and the Collapsed MoU
The latest military friction follows the collapse of a permanent peace framework signed earlier in the year. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding to permanently end hostilities that began in late February following a joint U.S.-Israeli assault. That agreement dissolved after both nations accused each other of violations. Indirect negotiations continued at the UN, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Pezeshkian maintained that Tehran remains willing to honor the previous memorandum, provided negotiations remain strictly grounded in international law.
The Crisis of Mistrust Over the 2015 Nuclear Deal
Pezeshkian pointed to a deep-seated lack of trust as the primary barrier to resolving the current conflict, tracing the origin of the breakdown directly to the previous U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement. “Your president tore up that agreement,” Pezeshkian stated during the Fox News interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the previous peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran collapse?
The memorandum of understanding signed in June collapsed after both Washington and Tehran accused each other of violating its terms, leading to renewed military exchanges.
Who represented Iran and the U.S. in recent indirect talks at the UN?
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff conducted indirect negotiations on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
What specific incident preceded the latest round of retaliatory strikes?
U.S. forces carried out an attack on two Iranian launchers on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iranian counter-strikes on facilities in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
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