Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated that his country does not seek nuclear weapons, but will continue to defend its legitimate national rights. His remarks came as a ceasefire between Iran and Israel took effect, ending a 12-day conflict marked by high-stakes escalation and unprecedented U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
In separate phone calls with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pezeshkian underlined Iran’s commitment to diplomatic solutions—but without compromising on sovereignty.
“Rights Cannot Be Imposed Upon by Force”
Speaking with the Emirati president, Pezeshkian stated that Israel and the United States cannot enforce illegitimate demands through military pressure. He urged the UAE to convey this message to Washington through their bilateral communications.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is only pursuing its legitimate rights,” Pezeshkian said, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
“We have never sought nuclear weapons, and we do not seek them. We are ready to resolve disputes through international frameworks and dialogue.”
In his call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pezeshkian also expressed Tehran’s willingness to address disagreements with the United States within the boundaries of international law and diplomacy.
Ceasefire Follows U.S.–Israeli Strikes on Iran
The conflict between Israel and Iran began with preemptive Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, alongside a campaign of assassinations targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and senior military leaders.
On Sunday, the United States launched unprecedented airstrikes on Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz — Iran’s most critical nuclear sites. The strikes included dozens of bunker-busting bombs and Tomahawk missiles, aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
These attacks occurred just days before a scheduled diplomatic meeting between Iranian and American officials to resume stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Uranium Enrichment: The Unresolved Sticking Point
One of the central points of contention remains Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Tehran maintains that enrichment is a non-negotiable sovereign right, while Washington continues to view it as a red line due to potential weaponisation concerns.
Despite the military escalations, Iran’s latest position reflects a readiness for diplomacy, provided that its national interests and Islamic sovereignty are respected.
