Unpacking the Lies in the Iranian President's Interview With Tucker Carlson
Tucker Carlson interviewed the Iranian President, who denied Iran’s role in killing Americans, downplayed its nuclear weapons ambitions, and made several other misleading claims, according to critics
In an interview that aired on July 7, 2025, Tucker Carlson provided a platform for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to make a series of misleading statements and outright falsehoods regarding Iran's actions and intentions. His claims about the Iranian regime’s supposed peaceful nature, nuclear program, and relations with the West stand in stark contrast to well-documented evidence and historical context. Critics quickly pointed out that Carlson failed to critically examine Pezeshkian’s assertions, allowing these false narratives to persist without challenge. As Saul Sadka noted in his review of the interview on X (formerly Twitter), Carlson did not ask any difficult questions, allowing Pezeshkian to promote his narrative unchallenged.
Claim: Iran Has Never Killed Americans
One of the most questionable claims made by President Pezeshkian was that "Iran has never killed anyone from America," a statement that is both factually incorrect and dangerously misleading. The reality is that the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxy groups have killed over 1,000 Americans over the past four decades.
These deaths include at least 603 American troops in Iraq, who were killed by explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) and other lethal aid provided to Shiite militias. Iran was also involved in major attacks such as the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing (241 Marines, sailors, and soldiers killed), the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing (19 Airmen killed), and the 2023 Hamas-led Oct 7th attacks (32 American deaths). Additionally, civilian deaths include victims of the 1983 and 1984 Beirut embassy bombings, as well as the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847, which paints a very different picture from Pezeshkian’s sanitized version of history.
Claim: Iran’s Nuclear Program is Peaceful
Pezeshkian's repeated assertions that Iran has never sought and will never seek nuclear weapons are in direct contradiction with verified reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Critics say this claim ignores the IAEA’s findings, Iran has conducted undeclared nuclear activities that could support the development of nuclear weapons and possesses enough enriched uranium to build nearly 10 nuclear bombs. Furthermore, in 2023 Iran restricted IAEA oversight, withdrawing certifications for inspectors and halting cooperation with nuclear verification measures as recently as June 2025. This contradicts Pezeshkian's portrayal of Iran as a transparent and peaceful actor in the nuclear arena, undermining any credibility to his claims.
Claim: "Death to America" is a Misunderstood Chant
Pezeshkian dismissed the infamous chant of "Death to America," claiming it does not mean literal death to Americans but rather a rejection of "crimes" and "killing." Critics say this dismissive interpretation ignores the historical and ongoing context of such statements. The slogan, often chanted at official government events and by high-ranking officials, has been a cornerstone of the Iranian regime’s rhetoric since the 1979 revolution. It has been used to justify actions against American interests, including attacks on U.S. forces and civilian infrastructure in the region. Pezeshkian's attempt to downplay the significance of this chant only serves to mislead audiences and further normalize anti-American sentiment in Iran.
When asked about allegations of "Iranian sleeper cells" in the U.S., Pezeshkian claimed, "This is the first time I'm hearing this from you or anyone. Iranians are known for their knowledge, science, manners and culture. Have you ever seen them act violently?" This claim ignores several documented instances of Iranian-backed operatives engaged in covert activities within the U.S. as part of Iran's broader network of destabilizing actions.
As recently as 2019, Ali Kourani, an operative for Hezbollah’s external attack-planning component, was convicted on terrorism-related charges in the U.S. Kourani was involved in planning attacks on U.S. soil, including conducting surveillance of potential targets like JFK Airport and federal law enforcement facilities in New York. His actions, which were part of Hezbollah's broader terrorist network supported by Iran, clearly contradict Pezeshkian's claim that Iranians are not involved in violent acts on U.S. soil. Kourani’s conviction serves as a clear indication of the real and ongoing threat posed by Iran and its proxies, directly challenging Pezeshkian's assertion that the Iranian regime is incapable of violent acts.
Claim: The Iranian Government Had No Knowledge of Fatwas Against Donald Trump
When asked about the Iranian ayatollahs who have issued fatwas regarding Donald Trump, Pezeshkian claimed that he had no knowledge of any fatwa being issued against the former president. Shortly after, he clarified that the fatwa had nothing to do with the Iranian government or the supreme leader of Iran Ali Khamenei and was merely a condemnation of a supposed insult to religious figures. However, on July 4, 2025, at a Tehran Friday Sermon, Ayatollah Ahmad Kahatami, a member of the Guardian Council, publicly stated, "According to sharia law, Trump must be executed."
Claim: Iran Has Never Backed Assassination Attempts Against Donald Trump
When asked if Iran had ever been involved in assassination attempts against Donald Trump, Pezeshkian subtly evaded the question. Instead, he framed it as a false claim instigated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing Netanyahu of attempting to drag the U.S. into a war and perpetuate an agenda of "forever war."
However, the reality is more concerning. In November 2024, the U.S. Justice Department revealed that an individual named Farhad Shakeri, reportedly acting under the direction of the IRGC, had been tasked with planning an assassination attempt against President-elect Donald Trump. This included surveilling Jewish American citizens and being offered a large sum of money by the IRGC to carry out attacks against them.
A Missed Opportunity for Accountability
Tucker Carlson’s failure to challenge Pezeshkian’s misleading statements and omissions in the interview allowed the Iranian President to present a version of Iran’s actions that lacks critical examination. From denying the Iranian regime’s involvement in killing Americans to downplaying the country’s nuclear program, the interview provided limited scrutiny of these significant issues.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Qatar's Embassy in the U.S. paid a PR firm to arrange the interview between Carlson and the Prime Minister of Qatar, which calls into question Carlson's motives and objectivity in handling the discussion. Critics say this further complicates the credibility of the interview. As global tensions and challenges surrounding Iran continue to evolve, it is important for media outlets to prioritize fact-based discussions and hold figures accountable for the accuracy of their claims.