Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran is seeking to end the ongoing conflict “with dignity” while asserting that no country has the authority to deprive Iran of what he described as its legitimate
nuclear rights.
His remarks come amid continuing tensions with the United States over nuclear negotiations and regional security concerns.
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According to Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian stressed that Iran does not intend to widen the scope of war and reiterated that the country’s policies are centred on maintaining regional peace and stability.
“No one has the right to deprive us of our nuclear rights, and what we demand is to be treated based on equity among all peoples,” Pezeshkian said.
“Our fundamental stance is based on preserving peace, stability, and security in the region,” he added.
The Iranian President said Tehran has not initiated conflicts and has no intention of launching attacks on other nations.
“We are not seeking to expand the circle of war, nor have we initiated any wars or conflicts,” he said.
“We do not intend to attack any country, and we are exercising our legal and legitimate right to self-defence.”
Pezeshkian also accused adversaries of failing to meet their objectives and violating international law through attacks on civilian infrastructure.
“The enemy failed to achieve its goals, violated international laws, and attacked infrastructure, schools, and hospitals,” he said.
PEZESHKIAN QUESTIONS US POSITION ON NUCLEAR RIGHTS
Reuters reported that Pezeshkian also criticised US President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran’s nuclear programme, questioning the basis on which Washington seeks to restrict Tehran’s nuclear activities.
“Trump says Iran cannot make use of its nuclear rights, but doesn’t say for what crime. Who is he to deprive a nation of its rights?” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by the Iranian Student News Agency.
IRAN NOT READY FOR DIRECT TALKS WITH US, REPORT CLAIMS
Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, a senior Iranian official said Tehran is not yet prepared to enter a new round of face-to-face negotiations with the United States, citing Washington’s insistence on what Iran described as “maximalist” demands.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said the country would not transfer enriched uranium to the United States, rejecting claims made by Trump.
“I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to the United States,” Khatibzadeh said.
“This is a non-starter, and I can assure you that while we are ready to address any concerns that we do have, we’re not going to accept things that are nonstarters.”
Khatibzadeh said there had been exchanges of messages between the two sides but indicated that unresolved issues continue to prevent an in-person meeting.
“We are still not there yet to move on to an actual meeting because there are issues that the Americans have not yet abandoned their maximalist position,” he said, adding that Iran is seeking finalisation of a “framework agreement” before any direct talks take place.
He also urged the United States to address Iran’s concerns regarding sanctions.
“The other sides also should understand and address our main concerns, which are illegal unilateral sanctions that Americans have imposed on Iranians and this economic terrorism which has targeted Iranian people to suffocate them and make them revolt against the political structure inside Iran,” Khatibzadeh said.
The Iranian official reiterated Tehran’s position that its actions were defensive and stressed that any ceasefire arrangement should include Lebanon.
“Iran negotiated with good faith, accepted a ceasefire and told everybody that this ceasefire should include all countries, including Lebanon,” Khatibzadeh said.
“Then the other side said that it is not committed to this and then started atrocities.”
He added that a “new protocol” regarding the Strait of Hormuz would be part of negotiations and said the strategic waterway would remain open for civilian passage as diplomatic efforts continue.
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