Pezeshkian: West’s anti-Iran propaganda aimed at creating ‘unrealistic illusion’
President Masoud Pezeshkian once again underlined that nuclear weapons have no place in Iran's defense doctrine, saying Western countries’ allegations of Iran’s efforts to develop nukes are aimed at creating an “unrealistic illusion in the world.”
He made the remarks in an interview with Fox News on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York last month.
In response to a question about the US president’s claim during his UN speech that the Islamic Republic is “the world's top state sponsor of terrorism,” and should never possess nuclear weapons, Pezeshkian said that during negotiations with Western countries Tehran has repeatedly announced that nuclear arms have no place in its doctrine and has clearly stated that it is ready to allow the inspection of any nuclear facility that they believe to have been established for developing nuclear weapons.
Pezeshkian said Iran is ready to assure the world that the Islamic Republic is not seeking and will not pursue building nuclear weapons.
However, he said, Western countries’ actions, including attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, have been contrary to all commitments and international principles.
“There has been no reason for Iran to move toward nuclear weapons; nonetheless, violations have occurred that should not have happened.”
He also pointed to the enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity in Iran, saying that it was a response to the US unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal that he said led to Europe’s failure to fulfill its commitments under the deal and departure of European companies from Iran.
The problem began when not only did they fail to observe their commitments, but they also imposed new sanctions and tried to increase pressure and promote the notion worldwide that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, Pezeshkian said.
Last week, the UN Security Council restored the anti-Iran sanctions under pressure from Western countries, especially US, France, Germany and Britain. The sanctions, which had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, will again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with the Islamic Republic and target the country’s defensive missile program.
The sanctions came back as part of a so-called snapback mechanism that three European parties to the deal used after they accused Iran of non-compliance with the agreement despite their own failure to adhere to their part of the commitments.