Iranian president says still open to 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 promoting a nearly seven-month war and blocking diplomacy. In a Fox News interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Pezeshkian blamed the US for bombing first and obstructing peace, citing a failed June memorandum with President Donald Trump. He said Tehran would reduce uranium enrichment and allow external verification to ease nuclear tensions. Pezeshkian denied Iran seeks a nuclear bomb, citing a religious decree by the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and stressed Iran only acts in self-defense. Indirect talks between both sides continued this week in New York without reported progress.