Iran says Washington holds key to ending US conflict

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said Thursday in New York that ending the conflict between Iran and the United States depends on Washington, while reiterating Tehran seeks neither war nor nuclear weapons. Speaking to Fox News on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Pezeshkian said "it is up to America to decide whether or not to end" the conflict, two days after Donald Trump announced US-Iranian talks in New York. He affirmed Iran is "determined to defend itself" and will respond "with force" if fighting continues, while denouncing pressures aimed at forcing capitulation outside international law. Pezeshkian said a June agreement in principle with Washington was signed and Iran remains ready to proceed, dismissed US midterms as a factor in negotiations, and confirmed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in good health. He denied any Iranian intent to build atomic weapons, despite stockpiles of uranium enriched to 20 and 60 percent.