Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has drawn a firm line in the sand during a Fox News interview, insisting that Tehran never chose the current conflict and will never surrender under external pressure. He stated that the war was imposed on Iran and that the country does not seek fighting, yet remains fully prepared to defend itself whenever attacked. Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran never started the hostilities, but if opponents continue the assaults, the response will be strong and resolute. He described ongoing pressures as a deliberate attempt to force capitulation, which he called impossible. The remarks come as the conflict, launched by U.S. and Israeli strikes in February 2026 that killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other officials, continues with intermittent exchanges and disputes over key waterways.

Pezeshkian also signaled openness to diplomacy, expressing willingness to resume a negotiated agreement with the United States under President Trump based on a prior June memorandum. He maintained that Iran seeks no war and stands ready to comply with international nuclear obligations. The president framed any further attacks as forcing Iran into defensive action rather than aggression. These comments leave open questions about how far Tehran is prepared to escalate if fighting resumes and whether the door to talks remains genuinely ajar amid the deep distrust. The interview underscores a stance of defiance paired with conditional readiness for negotiation.