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Iranian regime’s president Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent interview with NBC, published on January 14, has drawn sharp criticism both internationally and domestically, exposing contradictions within the regime and highlighting its duplicity. While presenting himself as a “moderate” face to Western audiences, Pezeshkian’s comments reveal Tehran’s fear of a firm policy shift in Washington, especially ahead of former President Donald Trump’s imminent inauguration.
In the interview, Pezeshkian denied any Iranian involvement in assassination plans targeting Donald Trump, asserting, “Iran has no intent to engage in such acts,” and called the allegations a “fear-mongering campaign” orchestrated by adversaries. “We’ve never sought to assassinate anyone and never will,” he added.
However, these statements contradict numerous reports and cases. Global media and government agencies have recorded hundreds of Iranian-backed terror and assassination attempts over the years, with dozens of Iranian operatives caught and convicted in various courts. In a recent example, the U.S. Justice Department revealed in 2024 that a Pakistani national linked to Tehran was involved in a plot to assassinate Trump. Intelligence agencies across Europe have also detailed Iran’s systematic targeting of dissidents and critics abroad.
In negotiations, weak concessions beget strong demands. When dealing with the most active state sponsor of #terrorism, weakness begets more #hostage-taking and the spread of terror. https://t.co/ieaaOkZb6y
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 26, 2023
These denials also clash with prior comments by regime officials. In January 2024, the regime’s Deputy for International Affairs of Iran’s Judiciary Kazem Gharibabadi stated: “Trump, Pompeo, and McKenzie are the three main defendants in the Soleimani assassination case. At minimum, their punishment is the lack of security they now experience, but they must face their ultimate punishment.”
Similarly, in February 2023, IRGC Aerospace Force commander Amir-Ali Hajizadeh told state television, “If we wanted to kill a thousand Americans that night [the Ain al-Asad missile attack], we could have, but that’s not enough. Trump, Pompeo, and McKenzie must be killed.”
In January 2022, Twitter permanently suspended the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s @KhameneiSite account for the second time after it posted an animated video depicting the assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump as revenge for Qassem Soleimani’s 2020 killing.
Khamenei’s deployment of Pezeshkian as a diplomatic face reflects the regime’s growing fear of losing international leverage. However, Khamenei simultaneously greenlit domestic media attacks to counter perceptions of weakness at home.
Kayhan, a newspaper whose editorial guidelines are directed by Khamenei’s office, lambasted Pezeshkian for his remarks. Its editor, Hossein Shariatmadari, accused Pezeshkian of overstepping his authority, writing, “Mr. Pezeshkian, you are not the owner of Iran. Your statements to NBC send a humiliating message to our sworn enemy.” Shariatmadari continued, “Trump and his collaborators deserve death for their crimes against Soleimani. It is a religious and legal duty, not a matter for negotiation.”
The state-run Khorasan newspaper criticized Masoud Pezeshkian, stating, “His remarks about the absence of plans to assassinate Donald Trump and rejecting such claims drew attention for deviating from the state’s strategic principles.” Similarly, Farhikhtegan Daily dismissed the interview, saying, “Pezeshkian’s NBC appearance, despite media promotion, offered no new stance or progress, relying instead on clichéd and repetitive responses.”
Pezeshkian’s attempts to depict the clerical regime as a peaceful actor fall apart when juxtaposed with its documented actions. Beyond terror cases, Tehran’s ongoing violations of international agreements further expose its duplicity. Since the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, Tehran has exceeded uranium enrichment limits and obstructed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.
Meanwhile, Pezeshkian claimed that Iran adheres to its commitments and is ready for “fair and equal negotiations.” Yet this rhetoric aligns poorly with Tehran’s actions, including its regional destabilization efforts and continued proxy warfare.
Pezeshkian’s Cabinet Is Testament to #Khamenei’s Unquestioned Authority Over #Iran’s Governancehttps://t.co/vyebHqPZc0
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 22, 2024
Tehran’s mixed messaging underscores its weakened state. The regime’s fear of a hardline U.S. policy—combined with declining regional influence and domestic unrest—has forced it into damage control.
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, coupled with setbacks from Iranian proxies, has further eroded Tehran’s strategic position. Domestically, rising protests fueled by economic mismanagement and corruption have left the regime scrambling to maintain control.
As Kayhan admitted, “Iran faces an unprecedented challenge as its enemies sense a unique opportunity to strike.” This acknowledgment of vulnerability highlights the regime’s fear of losing its grip amid growing international unity against its actions.
Pezeshkian’s NBC interview illustrates the Iranian regime’s two-faced strategy: attempting to placate Western audiences with conciliatory rhetoric while simultaneously reinforcing extremist stances domestically. This approach exposes a regime struggling to balance international diplomacy with internal cohesion, all while grappling with mounting pressures.
With the end of decades-long appeasement policies on the horizon, Tehran’s rulers face diminishing options. While Pezeshkian’s words might deceive some in the West, Khamenei’s actions expose the regime’s true nature and leave little room for illusions. Their reliance on contradictory narratives may buy time, but it cannot mask the regime’s underlying fragility.