Ria Reddy, Nidal Morrison, Ben Schmida, Carolyn Moorman, Andie Parry,

and Annika Ganzeveld

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took advantage of an interview with American media personality Tucker Carlson on July 7 to platform Iran's demands and misrepresent Iran’s destabilizing activities and role in the Middle East. Pezeshkian leveraged the interview to falsely present Iran as a peaceful force in the Middle East to a Western audience. Pezeshkian stated that Iran has never sought and will never seek a nuclear weapon. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed in May 2025 that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities that could support the development of nuclear weapons at three locations in Iran until the early 2000s. The IAEA also reported in May 2025 that Iran possessed 408.6 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium, which is enough uranium, if enriched further, to produce nearly 10 nuclear weapons. Pezeshkian claimed that Iran has "never shied away from [IAEA] verification" and is "ready for another inspection." Iran has historically restricted IAEA oversight in Iran, including by withdrawing the certifications of several inspectors in 2023. Iran’s Guardian Council approved a bill on June 26 that suspends Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA and bars inspectors from accessing Iran’s nuclear facilities. Pezeshkian also claimed that Iran has "always been after peace." Iran has cultivated a transnational coalition of partners and proxies since 1979 to pursue its strategic interests, including expelling the United States from the Middle East and destroying the Israeli state. Iran and the Axis of Resistance have conducted numerous attacks against Israel and US forces across the region. Iran supported the Axis of Resistance against Israel during the October 7 War and has sought to reconstitute its proxies, such as Hezbollah, after the war.

Pezeshkian separately reiterated Iran's demands for nuclear negotiations. Pezeshkian indicated that Iran continues to reject the US demand for zero uranium enrichment and stated that Iran will only resume nuclear negotiations if Israel is not “allowed” to resume attacks on Iran. Senior US and Israeli officials have indicated that they could resume attacks on Iran if Iran attempts to reconstitute its nuclear program.

Key Takeaways:

• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took advantage of an interview with American media personality Tucker Carlson on July 7 to platform Iran's demands and misrepresent Iran’s destabilizing activities and role in the Middle East. Pezeshkian leveraged the interview to falsely present Iran as a peaceful force in the Middle East to a Western audience.

• Senior Iranian officials have claimed that Iran retains a significant missile stockpile that it can use to attack Israel. Israeli airstrikes on Iran between June 12 and 24 likely degraded Iran’s missile program, however.

• The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck several Houthi targets in Hudaydah Governorate, Yemen. The Israeli strikes follow a Houthi ballistic missile attack targeting Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel on July 5.

• The Houthis claimed responsibility for a July 6 complex attack targeting the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas off the coast of Hudaydah, Yemen. The Houthis had not attacked a merchant vessel in the Red Sea since November 2024. This attack highlights that the Houthis remain capable of resuming attacks on ships whenever they want and for reasons they choose.

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