In an interview broadcast by US Fox News on Sept. 24, Iranian President Pezeshkian said he met Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei about a month ago for seven hours and described Khamenei as "very healthy" and fully capable of governing, noting that policy guidance comes from him. Pezeshkian said Iran prefers resolving disputes through dialogue and should avoid mutual slaughter, but added that Iran was "forced into war" by Israeli provocation, does not want the conflict to continue, and will respond strongly if the other side insists on fighting; he said sustained pressure to force Iran to yield would be impossible. 25-SEP-2026 06:41 AM ET