Pezeshkian: Iran neither seeks war nor hesitates to defend itself
The Iranian president said on Thursday that Tehran seeks no war with any country but is determined to defend itself against any aggression, amid US president’s threats to launch strikes against Iran over its nuclear program.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never pursued war or conflict,” Masoud Pezeshkian said in a phone call with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on the occasion of Muslims’ Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month Ramadan.
Pezeshkian stressed that the non-peaceful use of nuclear energy has no place in the country’s security and defense doctrine.
The Iranian president said that the inspections carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have verified the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities.
It is possible for the nuclear activities of Iran to remain fully subject to verification as they have been in previous years, added the president.
He also expressed Iran’s readiness to engage in dialogue “based on mutual interest and respect” with the aim of easing tensions over the program.
“We seek no war with any country, but will also not hesitate to defend ourselves. And our readiness and capability in this regard is at the highest level,” he emphasized.
US President Donald Trump threatened over the weekend that he might order military strikes against Iran if Tehran refused to enter negotiations to “make a new deal” on its nuclear program.
During his first term in office, Trump withdrew the United States from a previous agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and launched a maximum pressure campaign against the country.
Trump restored that policy after returning to the White House for a second term in January.
On March 12, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s leadership, asking for negotiations to reach a new deal and threatening military action if Tehran refused.
Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the US under pressure and threats but says indirect talks remain an option.