Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed willingness to resume dialogue with the United States, even as deep mistrust lingers following deadly attacks by both the US and Israel that disrupted ongoing diplomatic efforts. Pezeshkian stated that he believes the long-standing conflict between Tehran and Washington could be resolved through talks, though recent military escalations have left Iran skeptical of American intentions.
His remarks follow a series of violent events that have significantly raised tensions in the region. Less than a month ago, Israel launched an aggressive air campaign on June 13 targeting key Iranian sites, killing high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists. The strikes came just two days before Iran and the US were scheduled to meet for another round of nuclear negotiations, effectively derailing those plans.
Shortly after the Israeli offensive, the US carried out its own airstrikes on June 21, targeting Iran’s major nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. These attacks further escalated the situation and led to a sharp increase in casualties. According to Iranian reports, at least 1,060 people died during the 12-day conflict that followed.
Pezeshkian directly blamed Israel for the collapse of talks and expressed doubts about whether Iran could place any future trust in Washington. He questioned how Tehran could be certain that Israel wouldn’t launch similar attacks during any future diplomatic engagement, especially if given silent approval or ignored by the US.
In a revealing interview, he also accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during the June military actions. He described being in a meeting at the time of an airstrike, which he claimed was aimed at eliminating him personally. While he clarified that the United States was not behind the attempt on his life, he asserted that the Israeli military had acted independently and deliberately.
Further intensifying the rhetoric, Pezeshkian condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for pushing a personal agenda of perpetual conflict in the Middle East. He warned that Netanyahu’s ambitions could drag the US into another long-term conflict in the region, unless American leadership chooses a different course.
He appealed to US President Donald Trump to lead the region towards peace, urging him to resist being manipulated into further escalation. According to Pezeshkian, the US stands at a crossroads — either guiding the region to a more stable future or being drawn into a prolonged and potentially disastrous war.
The situation remains tense despite a ceasefire that has been in place since June 24. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is currently in Washington for high-level talks, with Iran and its nuclear program reportedly high on the agenda. Trump has praised the recent US strikes as a strategic victory, claiming that Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been permanently set back. However, there are concerns that Iran may continue its nuclear activities at undisclosed locations.
As both sides weigh their options, Pezeshkian’s call for dialogue stands in stark contrast to the military confrontations of recent weeks. Whether this opens the door for renewed diplomacy or marks another cycle of hostility remains uncertain.
