Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vehemently denied accusations from the United States that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons. In an exclusive interview, Pezeshkian contended that claims regarding Iran's nuclear enrichment program serve as a mere alibi for a US-Israel offensive against the country.
Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran's nuclear activities are conducted strictly within international regulations and that the nation remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He highlighted Iran's NPT membership as concrete evidence of its peaceful intentions and questioned the basis of the allegations against Tehran.
Iran's Compliance and Monitoring
The Iranian President asserted that his country's nuclear program has been subject to extensive international monitoring, with daily oversight of its activities. He stated, "If we were seeking nuclear weapons, we wouldn't have become a member of NPT. Now they are bringing about alibis and pretexts to attack our soil."
Pezeshkian challenged the US and Israel to provide concrete evidence supporting their claims, dismissing the allegations as "lies they are propagating" and propaganda aimed at Tehran. He reiterated Iran's readiness to resume negotiations on the nuclear issue under the NPT framework and established international principles.
Trust Deficit with the US
Despite openness to broader negotiations, Pezeshkian ruled out an immediate return to direct talks with the United States. He cited a severe loss of trust between the two nations, particularly following events early in the conflict. He indicated that a profound trust deficit, stemming from actions during the conflict, made it challenging for Iranian society to easily resume negotiations with Washington.
He further recounted past negotiations where, he claimed, the two sides were nearing an agreement before the US allegedly abandoned a memorandum of understanding and launched attacks on Iran. Pezeshkian stressed the necessity of re-establishing an atmosphere of trust and requiring assurances that the US would honor its commitments.
Sanctions Relief and Regional Stance
Tehran's consistent position, according to Pezeshkian, is for the lifting of sanctions and an end to US attacks. He also questioned the lack of similar international scrutiny over Israel's nuclear capabilities while rejecting allegations against Iran.
The President suggested that Iran's opposition to Israel and its support for Palestinians are being used as additional pretexts to target Tehran. "They are telling the world that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction. Are we seeking nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, or are they actually killing people in Lebanon and Gaza on a daily basis?" he stated, underscoring Iran's commitment to self-defense without seeking war.