Transcript: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan"

President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran appeared on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan on September 27, 2026. He was interviewed in New York. Iran's foreign minister had proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz to the United States through mediators, contingent upon meeting Iran's conditions and potentially initiating talks about the nuclear program. Pezeshkian stated that if the proposal reached the right individuals in the United States, the process would commence immediately upon acceptance.

He clarified that the conditions for reopening the strait were based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Pakistan with the U.S. President. Although the process had been interrupted due to a lack of coordination, the framework and objectives remained intact. Pezeshkian argued that reopening the strait and adhering to the MOU would restore pre-war conditions, as the United States was currently obstructing Iran's access to the strait.

Regarding the previous agreement signed by Pezeshkian and former U.S. President Trump, the Iranian leader emphasized that Iran remained committed to the MOU. He noted that any conflicts or deviations from the agreement should have been resolved through dialogue and patience. The breakdown of the understanding occurred when the United States failed to honor the agreed-upon routes for ships passing through the strait, leading to confrontations and Iran's retaliatory measures.

Pezeshkian reiterated Iran's commitment to upholding the MOU if the United States agreed to the proposed framework. He acknowledged past meetings with U.S. officials, noting that each attempt at negotiation was followed by aggression from the U.S., including the assassination of Iranian officials and the killing of innocent civilians. He concluded by emphasizing the need to overcome mistrust created by the ongoing war and to adhere to the commitments outlined in the MOU to achieve a peaceful resolution.