Iranian president says ready for US deal, blames Washington for stalled diplomacy

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran remains willing to reach an agreement with the United States, which he accused of waging a nearly seven-month war and blocking diplomacy. In a Fox News interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Pezeshkian blamed Washington for bombing first and obstructing dialogue, citing a failed June memorandum with President Donald Trump meant to halt hostilities that began February 28. He said Iran would reduce uranium enrichment and allow external verification to ease nuclear tensions. Pezeshkian denied seeking a nuclear bomb, citing a religious decree by the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and stressed Iran only acts in self-defense. Indirect talks continued this week in New York with no reported progress.