Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, told Fox News’ "Special Report with Bret Baier" that the United States must decide when the Iran war will end, rejecting any suggestion that Tehran would surrender to American pressure. The comment came after a question about whether the conflict could conclude by year‑end.
"But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not," Pezeshkian said, responding to the query in an interview aired on Thursday. The statement followed his remarks at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, where he reiterated that Tehran would never capitulate to U.S. demands as the two sides remain far apart on how to end the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been vocal about the war’s trajectory, saying he could "annihilate" Iran if a deal is not reached, yet also hinting that an agreement might materialise soon. Trump’s shifting timelines and objectives have been tied to the U.S. and Israel’s February 28 attacks on Iran, which triggered retaliatory strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. bases. These hostilities have killed thousands and displaced millions.
Trump has cited Iran’s weakened nuclear capabilities as a key war objective, a claim Iran disputes. Tehran, a party to the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty, maintains it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, while the United States remains nuclear‑armed.
As the conflict continues, international observers note that the U.S. and Iran have yet to agree on a framework for peace, with each side holding firm on its strategic priorities. The situation remains fluid, and any shift in policy could alter the trajectory of the war.
What to watch next: Analysts will monitor U.S. diplomatic channels for any indication of a new negotiation framework, while Iran may continue to defend its position at the UN and in other international forums.
