Fact-Checking NBC’s Interview with Islamic Republic of Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian
Last week, NBC's Lester Holt interviewed Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic in Iran, in what appears to be a carefully orchestrated attempt by the regime to reframe its image amidst mounting challenges. While Pezeshkian repeated familiar talking points—blaming the West for regional instability, accusing the United States of abandoning the nuclear deal without justification, and portraying the regime as a rational and peaceful actor—this interview must be viewed within its critical context. The Islamic Republic faces escalating tensions with Israel, severe domestic unrest marked by protests and record-low public trust, and growing economic instability. Simultaneously, President Trump is preparing to return to office with plans to reinstate the Maximum Pressure Campaign. The timing of this interview reveals a calculated effort by the regime to mislead the incoming administration, attempting to position Pezeshkian as a “reformist” figure while deflecting attention from its destabilizing behavior and systemic failures. The following fact-check exposes the disingenuous nature of Pezeshkian’s claims and highlights the regime's enduring duplicity in its regional and domestic policies.
Pezeshkian’s Message to Trump
Holt: I want to first talk about Donald Trump promised increased sanctions, maximum pressure on Iran. Do you have a message for him?
Pezeshkian: What is clear thus far, we are living in Iran, ever since the very beginning the U.S. has tried to topple Iran. I do hope that Donald Trump will conduce to peace in the region and the world, not conversely contribute to bloodshed or war.
Fact-Check: Mr. Pezeshkian's statement misrepresents the historical dynamics of the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States. By claiming that the United States has consistently sought to "topple Iran," he ignores the Islamic Republic's long-standing role as the primary instigator of tensions. The record clearly shows that the regime's hostility towards the United States began almost immediately after its establishment in 1979 and has been sustained through decades of aggressive actions.
Key Evidence
Hostage Crisis: One of the regime's first major acts after coming to power was the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, during which 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage and held for 444 days—a clear violation of international law and an act of aggression that severely damaged relations.
Support for Terrorism: Since the 1980s, the Islamic Republic has been a leading state sponsor of terrorism, providing funding, weapons, and training to groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. These groups have carried out numerous attacks against American interests and allies.
Hostage-Taking of Americans: Beyond the initial embassy crisis, the regime has continued to take Americans hostage over the decades, with over 30 U.S. citizens held since 1979. This pattern of behavior highlights the regime’s disregard for diplomatic norms and human rights.
Nuclear Negotiations
Holt: Are you willing now to have direct open talks with Washington, with President Trump?
Pezeshkian: The problem we have is not with dialogue, it's in the commitments that arise from talk and dialogue that we’ll have to commit to. We held talks with 5 +1 lengthy talks and we up held all the commitments that we had to commit to. Unfortunately it was the other party that did not live up to its promises and obligations.
Fact-Check: Pezeshkian’s remarks fail to acknowledge the Islamic Republic’s documented violations of nuclear agreements, including the JCPOA. While claiming compliance, the regime has repeatedly acted in bad faith by breaching commitments, concealing activities, and obstructing international oversight.
Key Evidence
Undisclosed Nuclear Sites (2018): Israeli intelligence revealed secret nuclear facilities, unreported stockpiles of enriched uranium, and advanced centrifuges, all in direct violation of JCPOA transparency requirements. This evidence highlighted the regime’s covert pursuit of nuclear capabilities despite its public commitments.
Breaches of JCPOA Limits (2019): In May 2019, the Islamic Republic began exceeding the JCPOA’s agreed limits on uranium enrichment levels and stockpile sizes. By July, it openly acknowledged surpassing these thresholds while refusing to fully cooperate with IAEA inspectors, further eroding the agreement’s framework.
Non-Cooperation with the IAEA (2022–2024): Over this period, the regime systematically obstructed IAEA investigations mandated by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) verification agreements. The IAEA issued multiple resolutions expressing "deep concern" over Tehran’s lack of transparency, restricted access to critical sites, and non-compliance with its obligations. These actions demonstrated an ongoing pattern of undermining international oversight.
Despite attempts at diplomacy, the Islamic Republic’s consistent violations, concealment of activities, and disregard for agreements have significantly hindered trust and progress in nuclear negotiations.
Potential Strikes on Iran
Holt: Israel and the United States are beginning to talk about whether a military strike against Iran might be necessary to stop its nuclear program. If that were to happen what would Iran’s reaction be?
Pezeshkian: Well you see naturally enough we will react to any action we do not fear war but we do not seek it.
Fact-Check: Pezeshkian’s claim of the Islamic Republic maintaining a defensive posture is demonstrably false. The regime has repeatedly instigated aggression against both Israel and the United States through direct actions and proxy groups, deliberately destabilizing the region and provoking responses from its adversaries.
Key Evidence
Aggression Against Israel:
October 7, 2023: Hamas, armed and heavily funded by the Islamic Republic, launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and igniting a major conflict.
October 8, 2023: Hezbollah, another proxy heavily backed by the regime, escalated the situation by attacking Israel from southern Lebanon, further destabilizing the region.
November 2023: IRI-backed Houthi rebels targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, creating a broader security threat that indirectly affected Israel. These attacks showcased the Islamic Republic’s use of proxies to project power and foment chaos.
Aggression Toward the United States:
December 27, 2019: The Kataib Hezbollah militia, supported by the Islamic Republic, launched a rocket attack on the K1 military base in Kirkuk, Iraq, killing an American contractor and injuring U.S. and Iraqi personnel.
December 31, 2019: Supporters of Kataib Hezbollah stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, damaging the facility and endangering American personnel, with clear encouragement from the regime in Tehran.
January 2, 2020: The U.S. responded to these provocations by targeting Qassem Soleimani, the architect of the Islamic Republic’s regional proxy networks and one of the key figures responsible for orchestrating these attacks.
This pattern of aggression clearly disproves the narrative that the Islamic Republic does not seek war. Instead, it demonstrates the regime's strategy of regional provocation and proxy warfare to expand its influence and destabilize its adversaries.
The Regime's Nuclear Program
Holt: President Elect Trump has said, when asked about the likelihood of war, he says “anything can happen it's a volatile situation” President Macron of France has said “we’re nearing a point of no return” when you hear those kinds of characterizations, where do you think that leaves this tension right now?
Pezeshkian: There are tensions and they serve no party’s interests. Whatever we have done thus far has been peaceful. We do not seek to create nuclear weaponry or armament; however, they accuse us of seeking the manufacturing of a bomb. This is a scheme they are trying to follow in order to fabricate some sort of a pretext this is not true.
Fact-Check:Pezeshkian’s assertion that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful contradicts substantial evidence. The regime’s uranium enrichment activities and stockpile expansion go far beyond what is necessary for peaceful nuclear applications, undermining its claims of non-military intent.
Key Evidence
Enrichment Beyond Peaceful Needs: The Islamic Republic has significantly increased its stockpiles of uranium enriched to 20% and 60%, far exceeding the limits set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). These enrichment levels are well beyond what is required for civilian energy or medical purposes and are critical stepping stones toward weapons-grade uranium (90%).
Stockpileof Uranium enriched to 20%
2021:113.8 kg; 2022: 386.4 kg; 2023: 567.1 kg; May 2024: 751.3 kg
Stockpileof Uranium enriched to 60%
2021:17.7 kg; 2022: 62.3; kg 2023:128.3 kg; May 2024: 142.1 kg
Iranian Officials Hinting at a Nuclear Weapon:
Ali-Akbar Salehi, the former head of the IRI’s nuclear agency, cited that "We have (crossed) all the thresholds of nuclear science and technology.
Kamal Kharrazi, head of the IRI’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and senior adviser to Khamenei asserted that "Two years ago in an interview with Al-Jazeera, I announced that Iran has the capacity to produce a nuclear bomb. That capacity still exists today, but we have no intention of producing a nuclear bomb. However, if the existence of Iran is threatened, we will have to change our nuclear doctrine."
Khamenei declared, in a speech on November 2, 2024, "Iran will be armed with whatever we need to confront the enemies."
Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former IRI diplomat, stated that "In the event of a military attack there will be no guarantee for the continuation of Iran's peacefulnuclear program."
The Current State of the IR's Security and Strength
Holt: U.S. and western officials believe Iran has been significantly weakened. This is not the same Iran as when Donald Trump was last president. Its influence in the region has been greatly diminished by losses among its allies and proxies: Hamas, Hezbullah, and the fall of the Syrian government.
Has that left Iran in a weaker position?
Pezeshkian: I certainly do not see any link. Some of the friends might see a link but comparing to last year inside the country we’re more coherent, more robust, we have better participation, we have a more solid security in the countr y.
Fact-Check: Pezeshkian’s claim that the Islamic Republic is “more coherent” and “robust” domestically and regionally fails to align with observable realities. Evidence highlights significant internal instability, declining public support, and setbacks in regional influence and military effectiveness, all of which undermine his assertions.
Key Evidence
Domestic Instability and Discontent:
Widespread Protests: In 2024 alone, more than 878 protests were recorded across the country, fueled by economic hardships, political repression, and social grievances. This widespread unrest underscores deep dissatisfaction with the regime.
Repressive Measures: The regime has increasingly relied on executions to suppress dissent, with 175 executions documented last year, signaling its inability to address grievances through governance rather than fear.
Record-Low Voter Turnout: The 2024 presidential election saw the lowest voter turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history, reflecting growing public disillusionment with the regime and its legitimacy.
Decline of Allies
The fall of the Assad regime in Syria significantly weakened the Islamic Republic’s strategic foothold in the region, depriving it of a crucial ally in the Levant.
The assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, dealt a major blow to one of the regime’s primary proxies and its ability to project power in Lebanon.
Similarly, the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s political leader, during Pezeshkian’s inauguration, further disrupted its regional network of influence.
Military and Strategic Failures:
April 1, 2024 – Israeli Airstrike in Damascus: An airstrike killed three IRGC generals and several officers, exposing vulnerabilities in the regime’s military command structure and its inability to protect high-value assets.
April 13-14, 2024 – Ineffective Retaliatory Attacks: The Islamic Republic launched over 330 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation. However, most of these attacks were thwarted, demonstrating the regime’s declining security capabilities and ineffectiveness in achieving military objectives.
May 7, 2024 – Failed Missile and Drone Strike: A second attempt to strike Israel using ballistic missiles and drones was similarly ineffective. The majority of projectiles were intercepted, causing minimal damage and highlighting the regime’s operational weaknesses and declining strategic effectiveness.
Far from being “coherent” and “robust,” the Islamic Republic is grappling with profound domestic instability and diminishing regional influence. The regime’s reliance on repression at home, the loss of key allies and proxies, and its military failures reveal a state struggling to maintain control and project power.
The IR's Assassination Attempts on President-Elect Donald Trump
Holt: One potential threat to diplomacy could be seen as what the U.S. believes are Iran’s plan to assassinate Donald Trump. Was there such a plan?
Pezeshkian: This is yet another scheme that the foreigners some are following in order to feed into Iranophobia.
Holt: You're saying there was never an Iranian plot to kill Donald Trump?
Pezeshkian: Never by no means.
Fact-Check: Pezeshkian’s claim that there were no Iranian plots to assassinate Donald Trump is demonstrably false. Evidence from multiple instances, U.S. investigations, and official statements clearly ties the Islamic Republic to assassination attempts targeting Trump and other officials in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani.
Key Evidence
Arrest of Asif Merchant: On July 12, 2024, Asif Merchant was arrested en route to the airport for his involvement in a plot orchestrated by his IRGC handler. The plan included creating a staged crowd demonstration to distract security while targeting Trump at a podium during a public appearance. Merchant was reportedly offered up to $1 million for carrying out the assassination.
Attorney General’s Statement: On November 8, 2024, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland confirmed that the Justice Department had charged an operative linked to the Iranian regime. Garland stated, “The Justice Department has charged an asset of the Iranian regime who was tasked by the regime to direct a network of criminal associates to further Iran’s assassination plots against its targets, including President-elect Donald Trump.”
2020 Bounty by Iranian MP: Following the killing of Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian Member of Parliament publicly announced a $3 million bounty for Donald Trump’s assassination, highlighting the regime’s desire for direct retaliation.
2021 Khamenei’s Social Media Post: Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shared a threatening post depicting a drone shadow over a golf course resembling Trump’s, accompanied by messages of “revenge” for Soleimani’s death. This explicit threat was widely condemned as a clear incitement of violence.
Statements from IRGC Commanders: General Amirali Hajizadeh, a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), explicitly stated, “We hope we can kill Trump, Pompeo, and the military commanders who gave the order” to eliminate Soleimani, leaving no ambiguity about the regime’s intent to target Trump and other U.S. officials.