Why it matters:
Pezeshkian’s remarks come following last month’s military confrontation with Israel and renewed Western pressure over Iran’s nuclear program. The president’s firm stance signals no shift in Iran’s nuclear doctrine and describes scientific expertise — not infrastructure — as the heart of its nuclear capability.
The big picture:
Pezeshkian made the remarks in an interview with Al-Jazeera. The U.S. and Israeli efforts to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program have failed, and will continue to fail, President Pezeshian stressed in the interview. He emphasized that Iran’s enrichment activities remain legal under international law.
The U.S. attacked Iranian nuclear facilities to end their activities.
What he’s saying:
President Pezeshkian: “These efforts are based on illusion,” he said, directly addressing claims, including by U.S. President Donald Trump, that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been neutralized.
“Nuclear capability resides in the minds of our scientists, not in our facilities.”
“We categorically reject possessing nuclear weapons. This is our political, religious, human, and strategic position.”
“Any future negotiations must be based on a win-win logic.”
“We are fully prepared for any Israeli military action. Our forces stand ready to strike deep into the occupied territories once again.”
Go deeper:
FM Araghchi: Iran Will Not Give up Enrichment
Mojtaba Darabi - seyed mohammad kazemi
