Iran’s president says US must choose whether to end war

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the United States must choose whether to end the war with Iran, as negotiators explore a possible deal over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade. His comments express Tehran’s negotiating position; the available reports do not confirm a new ceasefire. [4] [9]

Speaking on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier, in an interview aired on 24 September 2026, Pezeshkian was asked whether the conflict could end by the end of the year. According to Reuters, he said Iran did not wish to continue fighting and that America had to decide whether to end it. The reported remarks did not set out an immediate timetable for stopping hostilities. [4]

Talks focus on shipping and the blockade

Reuters separately reported on 24 September that US and Iranian negotiators in New York were exploring a phased arrangement under which Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and Washington would lift its economic blockade. A senior Iranian official said the arrangement could also include Iranian access to frozen assets. These remain reported negotiating possibilities, not agreed measures. [9]

Iranian, regional and Western diplomatic sources told Reuters that neither side wanted to surrender its leverage first. An unnamed White House official said President Donald Trump remained open to talks under the right circumstances, but maintained that Washington had no need to negotiate. [9]

The accounts also differ over access to Hormuz. Pezeshkian rejected the suggestion that Iran had closed the strait, according to Anadolu’s report of the interview. Reuters described the route as blocked by Tehran. The available evidence does not independently establish the extent of restrictions on vessel traffic. [5] [9]

Pezeshkian said he remained willing to proceed on the basis of the June memorandum with Washington, Anadolu reported. Published versions of that text declared an immediate and permanent end to military operations and set a maximum of 60 days to negotiate a final agreement, extendable by mutual consent. Those provisions describe commitments, not verified implementation.