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Pezeshkian said Iran wanted Washington to return to a June memorandum of understanding that had outlined a framework for a temporary ceasefire.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian arrives to speak during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York. (AFP photo)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday said that Tehran wants to reach a deal with the United States before November’s midterm elections, directly rejecting President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Iran was waiting until after the polls to settle the conflict.
Speaking to reporters in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian said Iran wanted Washington to return to a June memorandum of understanding that had outlined a framework for a temporary ceasefire before talks collapsed.
“We don’t want it to get to the midterm elections,” Pezeshkian said. “We wish Americans to return to the MOU before the midterms.”
Tehran Calls For Return To June Framework
Pezeshkian’s comments came after Trump said at the UN that he believed Tehran was delaying an agreement until after the US elections.
“They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election,” Trump had said on Tuesday.
The two sides have remained at odds over Iran’s nuclear programme and the terms of any possible settlement. Trump has repeatedly said US military action was aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Pezeshkian, however, indicated that Tehran remains willing to negotiate, provided it is not forced to do so under military pressure.
Nuclear Inspections On Table
In his exchange with reporters, Pezeshkian also said Iran was “open” to inspections of its nuclear facilities.
Tehran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes. The comments could provide another opening for negotiations, although major differences remain between Washington and Tehran.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also held lengthy indirect talks with Iranian officials in New York on Tuesday. Witkoff later described the discussions as “constructive and promising”.
Pezeshkian Rejects Assassination Claim
Pezeshkian also denied that the Iranian government was seeking to assassinate Trump or members of his family.
“This has not been the position of the Iranian government that we seek to assassinate President Trump or his family members,” he said.
US authorities have previously accused Iranian operatives of involvement in plots targeting Trump and Iranian-American critics of Tehran. The issue is linked to Iran’s stated desire to avenge the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani, a senior Iranian commander who was killed in a US drone strike ordered by Trump during his first term.
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Ask News18Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran wants to reach a deal with the United States and have Washington return to a June memorandum of understanding before November’s midterm elections, directly countering President Donald Trump’s assertion that Iran was delaying an agreement until after the polls.
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