In a recent interview, Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller News Foundation, engaged with Iranian President Mosoud Pezeshkian, urging him to dissuade Iranian nationals in the United States from engaging in violence.
Despite Carlson's direct appeal, Pezeshkian refrained from issuing such a statement. This interaction comes amid heightened tensions following a U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in June, which has fueled concerns about potential retaliatory actions by Iran on American soil.
According to the Daily Caller, Carlson highlighted the existence of warnings regarding Iranian sleeper cells within the United States during "The Tucker Carlson Interview." He pressed Pezeshkian on whether he would publicly advise Iranian citizens in the U.S. against committing acts of violence. Pezeshkian, however, expressed unfamiliarity with the issue and dismissed the notion that Iranians would engage in violent acts against Americans.
"There are a number, some large number, of Iranian nationals living in the United States. Some have said they are, quote, sleeper cells. They are terrorists who are acting at the command of your government," Carlson stated. He then asked, "Would you right now make a statement to Iranian citizens living in the United States not to commit acts of violence in the United States?"
Pezeshkian's response was one of denial and deflection. He claimed ignorance of the allegations and emphasized the peaceful nature of Iranians. "You see, these things youre telling me this is the first time Im hearing them from you or from anybody. You know, Iranians are known for their knowledge, for their science, for their courtesy, for being civilized," he remarked.
He further suggested that such narratives were propagated by Israel to manipulate American perceptions. "Have you seen otherwise from them any other kind of behavior from them, or any violent behavior? Has anybody ever seen anything from them? Yeah, as I said, this is what Israel is trying to put into your minds. Youre propagating that Iranians might be capable of doing such a thing."
Pezeshkian continued to assert that Iranians are inherently peaceful and that any involvement in regional conflicts would not serve American interests. "But this is totally untrue, because by nature, Iranians are pro-peace and tranquility. And theyre trying to actually make to somehow impact the minds of the decision-makers and the people of the United States and to scare them into getting involved in a war in my region that is not going to ensure any kind of interest for the United States," he added. "It is not to be in the interest of the United States to be involved in any kind of war in my region."
Despite Pezeshkian's assurances, the threat of Iranian sleeper cells remains a concern. Prior to the U.S. strike, Iran had reportedly threatened to activate such cells in America, as disclosed by two U.S. officials to NBC News. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memo warning of a "heightened threat environment" due to the conflict, cautioning that Iranian government affiliates might initiate terrorist attacks.
The memo stated, "The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland." It also noted that recent terrorist attacks in the U.S. have been driven by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiments, with the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict potentially inciting further plots.
Login