Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivers a speech in Tehran, Iran, April 18, 2025. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

In an interview released Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that Israel attempted to assassinate him, marking a dramatic new chapter in the already volatile tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Speaking to Carlson from Tehran, Pezeshkian claimed, “They did try, yes,” when asked directly whether Israel had attempted to kill him. “They acted accordingly, but they failed.”

The interview marks the first time Pezeshkian has spoken to a Western journalist since his election earlier this year and comes just weeks after a 12-day exchange of strikes between Iran and Israel, including Israeli airstrikes deep into Iranian territory targeting military sites and nuclear-linked personnel.

The interview, posted on Carlson’s independent media platform, did not touch on Iran’s nuclear program or human rights record, but instead focused on questions about war, trust, and the future of diplomacy. When asked if Iran seeks war with the United States or Israel, Pezeshkian said that it is not “in the interest of the United States to be involved in any kind of war in my region.”

He emphasized that Iran is open to resuming nuclear talks but added that trust had been badly damaged by the Trump administration’s 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and continued US support for Israeli military operations. 

Last month, Israel initiated a series of intense airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, most notably at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, reportedly destroying above‑ground infrastructure and eliminating dozens of scientists. Shortly after, the US entered the fray under “Operation Midnight Hammer,” deploying B‑2 stealth bombers and submarine‑launched Tomahawk missiles to strike the same three sites in a coordinated effort with Israel on June 22.

The operations came amid fears from the US and international intelligence agencies that Tehran had rapidly advanced its nuclear enrichment program, bringing it dangerously close to weapons-grade capability. Since the collapse of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Iran had steadily increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, operating advanced centrifuges in defiance of international limits. As of the latest IAEA reports prior to the recent war, Iran possessed enough enriched material to produce multiple nuclear weapons had they chosen to further refine it.

Carlson, who has previously interviewed controversial figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, offered a platform that was largely non-confrontational, focusing on eliciting Pezeshkian’s views rather than challenging them. This approach drew immediate criticism from analysts and rights advocates, who accused Carlson of giving an authoritarian regime unfiltered airtime. 

The interview represents a strategic media move by Iran. Pezeshkian’s decision to speak with Carlson, who retains a large conservative audience in the US despite his departure from Fox, appears to be an effort to bypass traditional diplomatic channels and communicate directly with American viewers. Iranian state media quickly broadcast subtitled clips of the interview, using Pezeshkian’s comments to frame Iran as reasonable and under threat.

US officials have not yet publicly responded to the interview or the assassination allegation. The State Department declined CNN’s request for comment. However, the timing of the interview and its substance may complicate an already fragile diplomatic landscape. With the Trump administration under pressure to manage growing instability in the Middle East, Pezeshkian’s remarks could potentially deepen distrust between the US and Tehran. 

Carlson’s interview with Iran’s president has reignited criticism from some conservative commentators and political figures, who accuse him of promoting anti-Israel sentiment and aligning too closely with America’s geopolitical adversaries. Critics point to Carlson’s recent rhetoric questioning US support for Israel and his willingness to offer uncritical platforms to leaders like Vladimir Putin and now Masoud Pezeshkian. For some on the right, this represents a departure from traditional conservative foreign policy views that strongly support Israel and take a hard line on adversarial regimes. The backlash underscores growing fractures within the conservative movement over nationalism, non-interventionism, and America’s role abroad.

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BBC headquarters in central London. Photo by Vuk Valcic / SOPA Images/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

The BBC’s Director of Music Lorna Clarke has reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties after the corporation apologized for streaming a live performance by the British punk rap duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival, during which they lead the audience in chanting “Death to the IDF,” a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.

The BBC said on Thursday that a small number of senior staff members have been told to pull back from their daily duties covering music and live events after the BBC streamed Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set in late June. Clarke is reportedly among that small group of senior staffers, The Times reported. According to the BBC’s website, Clarke is responsible for six national popular and classical music networks, as well as live music events, and has over 30 years of broadcasting experience.

Bob Vylan’s lead singer Pascal Robinson-Foster led the crowd in chanting, “Free, free Palestine” as well as “Death, death to the IDF,” during the duo’s Glastonbury set on June 28 at the event in Somerset, England. The performance was available to watch on BBC via a live stream on iPlayer.

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was removed from the lineup for England’s Radar Festival and France’s Kave Fest, their US visas were revoked ahead of their North America tour, and they were dropped by the United Talent Agency. Bob Vylan is also banned from opening for the US-based band Gogol Bordello in Germany later this year by the Live Music Hall venue, Rolling Stone reported.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah said in a statement on July 3 that the corporation was wrong for transmitting Bob Vylan’s anti-IDF exhortations.

“I’d like first of all to apologise to all our viewers and listeners and particularly the Jewish community for allowing the ‘artist’ Bob Vylan to express unconscionable antisemitic views live on the BBC,” he said. “This was unquestionably an error of judgment. I was very pleased to note that as soon as this came to the notice of [BBC Director-General] Tim Davie — who was on the Glastonbury site at the time visiting BBC staff — he took immediate action and instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on-demand coverage.”

“I am satisfied that the Executive is initiating a process to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for the failings in this incident,” he added. “While it is important that the process is carried out fairly and correctly, it is equally important that the Executive takes decisive action. The Board fully supports the Director-General and the swift actions taken by him and his team to identify these errors and address them.”

In a separate statement, the BBC apologized for live streaming Bob Vylan’s “offensive and deplorable behavior.” The corporation insisted “there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC” and admitted that “errors were made both in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan’s appearance.” The BBC said it was taking action to “ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible” for the broadcast.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the anti-IDF chant as “appalling hate speech.” Glastonbury head Emily Eavis and organizers of the event said in a joint statement that they were “appalled” by Bob Vylan’s behaviour at Glastonbury.

“Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence,” they said. “Glastonbury Festival was created in 1970 as a place for people to come together and rejoice in music, the arts and the best of human endeavour. As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in — and actively campaign for — hope, unity, peace and love.”

Bob Vylan shared a statement on Instagram further explaining their “Death to the IDF” chant. “We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine,” they wrote. “A machine whose own soldiers were told to use ‘unnecessary lethal force’ against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza. We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.”

Bob Vylan performed at Glastonbury on the West Holts stage ahead of Kneecap, an Irish rap group that shared a “f–k Israel, free Palestine” message on stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April. A member of Kneecap has also been charged for allegedly expressing support for Hezbollah, which is a US- and UK-designated terrorist organization. During their own set at the Glastonbury Festival, Kneecap expressed support for Palestine and criticized the British and American governments.

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Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem delivers a speech from an unknown location, Nov. 20, 2024, in this still image from video. Photo: REUTERS TV/Al Manar TV via REUTERS.

Hezbollah has vowed to keep its weapons, rejecting a US-backed disarmament proposal amid increasing pressure from the Lebanese government and Israeli threats following new airstrikes and a cross-border incursion.

“This threat will not make us accept surrender,” Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Sunday, warning they will not abandon their weapons and insisting that Israel’s “aggression” must first stop.

“How can you expect us not to stand firm while the Israeli enemy continues its aggression, continues to occupy the five points, and continues to enter our territories and kill?” said Qassem, who succeeded longtime terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah after Israel killed him last year.

Hezbollah’s response came as the Lebanese government involved the Iran-backed terror group while crafting a reply to US envoy Tom Barrack’s proposal, which called for Israel to halt attacks on Lebanese soil in exchange for the group’s disarmament.

“We will not be part of legitimizing the occupation in Lebanon and the region. We will not accept normalization [with Israel],” Qassem said in his speech.

“America’s equation asking us to choose between being killed or surrender does not concern us and we will cling to our rights,” the terrorist leader continued.

On Monday, Barrack said he was “unbelievably satisfied” with Lebanon’s response to Washington’s recent proposal on disarming Hezbollah, following meetings between American and Lebanese leaders in Beirut.

This latest proposal, presented to Lebanese officials during Barrack’s visit on June 19, calls for Hezbollah to be fully disarmed within four months in exchange for Israel halting airstrikes and withdrawing troops from the five occupied posts in southern Lebanon.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday, Barrack said he had received the official response but did not disclose any details about its contents.

“What the government gave us was something spectacular in a very short period of time,” Barrack said. “I’m unbelievably satisfied with the response.”

The US envoy said he believed “the Israelis do not want war with Lebanon.”

“Both countries are trying to give the same thing — the notion of a stand-down agreement, of the cessation of hostilities, and a road to peace,” Barrack continued.

Last fall, Israel decimated Hezbollah’s leadership and military capabilities with an air and ground offensive, following the group’s attacks on Jerusalem — which they claimed were a show of solidarity with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas amid the war in Gaza.

In November, Lebanon and Israel reached a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended a year of fighting between the Jewish state and Hezbollah.

Under the agreement, Israel was given 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army and UN forces to take over security as Hezbollah disarms and moves away from Israel’s northern border.

However, Israel maintained troops at several posts in southern Lebanon beyond the ceasefire deadline, as its leaders aimed to reassure northern residents that it was safe to return home.

Jerusalem has continued carrying out strikes targeting remaining Hezbollah activity, with Israeli leaders accusing the group of maintaining combat infrastructure, including rocket launchers — calling this “blatant violations of understandings between Israel and Lebanon.”

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